All five have since been released.
The plant remains shut down for continued inspection and repairs, according to a statement by Mike Muirhead, director of manufacturing.
“We are grateful to report that of the five employees who had been transported to local hospitals, including one Arch employee and four contract employees, four were treated and released Monday,” he said. “One individual who had been airlifted to Chattanooga (a contract employee) who suffered smoke inhalation remained overnight for treatment.”
Muirhead also noted no reportable quantity of chlorine was released during the fire. From its point of origin, the blaze eventually made its way into a duct. The workers were brought to safety by Bradley County Fire Rescue and Arch Chemicals Emergency Team members.
Cleveland Fire Department responded with a ladder truck which was not utilized during the operation. BCFR Chief Dewey Woody stated after Monday’s fire the truck could have been needed to remove the workers from a roof area. Woody said the truck was en route prior to BCFR’s arrival and before assessment regarding needs for the response had been completed.
Arch Chemicals produces chlorine products (biocides) commonly used in swimming pools.
Muirhead said the fire originated in “the rework section of its Calcium Hypochlorite plant.”
“The main plant continues to be down for inspection and repair,” Muirhead said. “An investigation is under way to pinpoint the cause of the fire so steps can be taken to prevent any reoccurrence.”
Muirhead said plant safety remains the company’s focus.
“Safety requires constant vigilance and continues to be our No. 1 priority,” Muirhead stated. “Overall, the Arch Charleston plant has near world-class safety performance, but under our ‘Goal is Zero’ philosophy, even one incident is too many.”
