Firefighters extinguish Greenville chemical plant blaze after early morning explosion
A blast at the Loveland facility in Washington County forced a temporary evacuation order before crews contained the fire without reporting injuries.
By Samir Patterson ·
Emergency crews contained a chemical fire at a manufacturing facility in Greenville, Mississippi, on Wednesday morning after an explosion triggered a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents.
Washington County officials reported that responders arrived at the Loveland facility, formerly known as Platte Chemical, shortly after 7 a.m. The initial blast involved a chemical herbicide stored inside a unit described as a hot box. Thick smoke spread from the site, prompting multiple agencies to deploy and issue the safety order for the surrounding area.
Firefighters and other emergency personnel worked to extinguish the flames while following decontamination protocols due to the potential for chemical exposure. Officials later confirmed that no injuries were reported and lifted the shelter-in-place order.
Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons acknowledged the coordination between local and state responders. “Our first priority is the safety of our residents, our first responders, and everyone working at or near the facility,” Simmons said. “I ask our citizens to remain calm, avoid the immediate area, and allow our firefighters and emergency personnel the space they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Investigators are currently determining the cause of the blast. The facility operates in Washington County, where the incident occurred on Wednesday.
