FIRE AT INDUSTRIAL SITE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL

SCOTT CITY -- A fire at a Scott City industrial plant that burned for more than 48 hours and caused several explosions was finally brought under control by firefighters early Monday.

At least 83 firefighters from 11 departments were called to the scene at just before 9 p.m. Saturday, and left at about 2 a.m. Monday after the last of the flames were extinguished, said Bill Crump, deputy fire chief for the Scott City Fire Department.

Authorities from the state fire marshal's office and Industrial Fuels and Resources (IFR) are still investigating the cause of the blaze. The fire caused no injuries but destroyed at least two of the plant's buildings.

The plant, located in the Scott City industrial park, recycles hazardous chemical waste solvents and converts them for use in cement kilns.

The fire reportedly started in the part of the plant used for processing the solvents.

Crump said one fireman was overcome by heat late Sunday, but was treated by ambulance crews and suffered no injuries.

Firefighters worked in rotating shifts, he said, and stopped fighting the blaze long enough to cool down and be decontaminated.

Crump said water brought in by nearby fire departments was used to fight the blaze.

Crews were able to save parts of the plant, including a large warehouse containing 2,000 barrels of solid waste by-products.

Except for a few private wells, the industrial park does not have a water supply. Construction on water and sewer lines to the area began last week, two years after the industrial park was annexed by Scott City.

Crump said crews would try to begin clean up of the area today.