Politics

Plant Fire in Eau Claire, WI - 6/22/2007

The fire started around 5:45am CST on 6/22/2007 at WRR Environmental Services. The company takes used solvents and recycles them to be reused for industrial purposes. They also make high-quality lubricants used in razor blades and military applications. Ten employees were in a processing building when the fire started. They grabbed fire extinguishers and tried to put the fire out, but they were able to put it out, so they called 911. By 7:30am CST the fire had exploded several storage tanks filled with chemicals. Huge towers of black smoke could be seen for miles. Eau Claire officials called for a voluntary evacuation of the area surrounding the plant and advised anyone with breathing problems to stay inside with the windows closed for the rest of the day. Roads around the plant, including Interstate 94 and Highway 93 were closed. Firefighters pulled back from actively fighting the fire late in the morning and decided to let the fire burn itself out. They said it was just too dangerous for firefighters to remain on site.