Smoke rose yesterday from the site of T2 Laboratories Inc. in Jacksonville, Fla. The explosions generated side fires.
(Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via Associated press)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Explosions and fires at a chemical plant yesterday killed four people, injured at least 14, and sent debris flying several stories into the air, fire officials and witnesses said.
It was not clear what caused the explosions about 1:30 p.m. at the T2 Laboratories Inc. plant, said Tom Francis, a fire rescue spokesman.
The chemicals at the plant made the environment "incredibly dangerous for the first responders," Francis said. "Explosions were generating all kinds of side brush fires and other kinds of blazes."
Everyone at the plant was accounted for by yesterday evening. Hospitals reported one patient in critical condition, three fair, and five good.
Conditions for the rest were unknown, or it was not clear where they were being treated.
T2 Laboratories makes chemical solvents and fuel additives that it says are designed to replace more toxic versions of the products.
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