MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) – A chemical spill and explosion at a Fox Valley paper mill is now under investigation by federal authorities.
The blast happened just after 8 a.m. Monday at SCA Tissue in Menasha.
The incident forced dozens of homes south of the facility to be evacuated as a precaution.
Federal authorities say they are investigating a chemical leak and explosion at a Menasha paper mill that forced people out of their homes.
No one was injured in the blast at SCA Tissue, but dozens of homes south of the plant were evacuated shortly after 8 a.m. Monday morning.
“Just a loud explosion, sounded like a crack of thunder, real close to the house,” Jon Muska, who lives on Lock Street, told FOX 11.
Muska says fire department officials asked everyone to evacuate.
“Upon our arrival and further investigation we did note there was a vapor cloud that was emanating from the building also there was some liquid on the ground, outside the building, which also had some vapors coming off of it,” Assistant Chief Mike Sipin of the Neenah-Menasha Fire Department said.
According to authorities, an “organic polymer” was being unloaded when it leaked. The chemical made contact with another chemical, sodium hypochlorite, which is a highly concentrated form of household bleach. Both of these are used in cleaning water from the paper making process.
The two reacted, creating heat and an explosion that blew off a portion of a roof of the plant.
Officials say sodium hypochlorite is corrosive and can cause skin burns and irritation when contacted or inhaled in large amounts.
Haz-Mat crews were called in from Oshkosh and Appleton to handle the spill. Sipin says the spill was contained before it could reach the sewer system and the evacuation was precautionary.
By early Monday afternoon, the evacuation order was lifted.
SCA officials say the incident impacted only a small part of the plant and some operations.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says they’re investigating the incident. A complete report could take at least six months.
According to OSHA, one inspection complaint was filed in December of last year for violating housekeeping, plant safety and record keeping practices. OSHA’s area director says the agency considers those somewhat minor infractions.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).
