Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 1

Howard Industries Plant Fire Forces Evacuation at 2.3 Million-Square-Foot Mississippi Site

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 1

Howard Industries Plant Fire Forces Evacuation at 2.3 Million-Square-Foot Mississippi Site

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 1

A chemical fire at Howard Industries' Laurel, Mississippi, facility sent employees out of the plant and drew fire crews from across Jones County before crews mostly contained it by 8 p.m.
Mayor Johnny Magee said a paint booth caught fire next to a tanker truck carrying an explosive substance, helping drive flames, thick black smoke and several loud booms.
Officials told people to avoid the area because traffic could hinder firefighters and endanger workers and first responders.
Howard Industries, which makes electrical transformers for utilities, said its Laurel plant spans about 2.3 million square feet; officials had not yet said whether anyone was injured or how much damage the fire caused.

Sources

With a history of previous evacuations, what hidden safety flaws led to this massive chemical blaze at the Laurel plant?

Could the thick black smoke and explosions from the chemical fire pose lingering environmental threats to the surrounding community?

How will the sudden shutdown of this massive 2.3-million-square-foot facility disrupt the critical supply chain for electrical transformers?

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