Firefighters contain chemical spill at Norcold plant

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SIDNEY — Firefighters contained a hazardous-chemical spill to an area within the Norcold plant Wednesday night. No one was injured.

According to a news release from Assistant Chief Chris Niswonger of the Sidney Department of Fire & Emergency Services, the department received a telephone call Wednesday about 7:43 p.m. from an employee of Norcold stating the plant had a large spill of a chemical used to make expandable foam. The foam is used in the manufacturing process of refrigeration units.

Firefighters responded to 600 S. Kuther Road to investigate and found a large tank containing the chemical isocyanate solution was leaking onto the plant floor. The spill covered an area 25 feet in diameter (approximately 150 gallons).

After determining the chemical was hazardous, all plant personnel were evacuated and all remaining shifts were canceled for the night. All off-duty fire department personnel were recalled and the Sidney-Shelby County Hazmat team was activated. The city’s “Hyper-reach telephone messaging system” was utilized to inform residents and businesses within a one-mile radius south of the incident about the situation with instructions to stay indoors and close the windows. The system was used again at the conclusion of the incident to inform everyone that it was safe to resume normal activities.

Mutual aid was received from Anna and Lockington fire departments as well as Perry-Port-Salem Rescue. No injuries reported by company employees or any firefighters.

Fire officials, along with plant management, contacted all appropriate government agencies about the situation to ensure public safety and safe return to normal business operations. A chemical cleanup contractor from Dayton was contacted to clean up the spill and advise plant personnel when normal operations could resume.

Firefighters remained on scene about four hours to ensure the leak was stopped and the spill confined to the original area. Firefighters monitored the building for hazardous conditions and air-quality control.

Hazmat workers exit Norcold Inc. at 600 Kuther Road after assessing a liquid isocyanate spill. The Sidney Department of Fire & Emergency Services told people living within a one-mile radius south of the plant to stay in their homes.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/08/web1_SDN081215ChemicalSpill3.jpgHazmat workers exit Norcold Inc. at 600 Kuther Road after assessing a liquid isocyanate spill. The Sidney Department of Fire & Emergency Services told people living within a one-mile radius south of the plant to stay in their homes.
‘Hyper-reach telephone messaging system’ utilized

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