Chemical Plant Fire Causes Explosion, One Injury

Courtney Mills

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A chemical plant northeast of Des Moines, Iowa exploded Monday afternoon, sending firefighters from all over the region scrambling to help with the huge chemical fire. The fire started at 1:15pm, and continued to burn for several hours thereafter.

Flames and thick clouds of black smoke could be seen emanating from the Barton Solvents chemical plant for several miles, according to media reports. Police were forced to close nearby Interstates because of the fire's intensity. There was one injury reported from the fire.

Barton Solvents Inc. manufactures industrial chemicals for wholesale distribution under the name of Barsol, and has several plants in the Midwest. The last explosion at a Barton Solvents Chemical plant was in Kansas, where 6,000 people had to be evacuated.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Toxic and Hazardous Substances.