GEORGETOWN, TX – A chemical plant fire just south of Walburg, TX prompted shelter-in-place orders that were quickly lifted after about three hours on Thursday afternoon.
Williamson County officials said Friday the structure fire at the CPI Products plant on Farm to Market Road 1105 was 99% contained, as fire crews were monitoring a smoldering palette of cardboard throughout the night.
Williamson County officials also said the State Fire Marshal will be meeting with state environmental quality personnel to ensure that none of the contaminated water in the area doesn’t make its way down stream from a nearby creek.
Thankfully no one was hurt, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office added.
On Thursday evening a shelter-in-place order was issued by the county asking all residents within a one mile radius of 4100 FM 1105 to shelter inside their homes, close all doors and windows, and shut off all heating and air conditioning units.
By 8:30 p.m., the shelter-in-place order was lifted for all county residents after a release by the county stated the fire was under control, but firefighters would continue monitoring hot spots overnight.
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Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Gehrig with the Weir Volunteer Fire Department gave an update on the fire late Thursday night stating the fire was," one of the largest fires they’ve had in the area because of the building size and its contents."
Gehrig noted the department got an alarm just after 4:30 p.m. for the Consolidated Products commercial building. When the first units arrived on scene around 5 p.m., the building was fully engulfed.
That’s when more assistance was needed and back up units were called in, Gehrig said, noting that roughly 11 different fire departments ended up helping them battle the blaze.
According to Gehrig, there were a couple people inside of the building when the fire initially started, but they were able to get everyone evacuated safely.
The building was found to contain several kinds of chemicals as the building served as a facility for plastics and fiberglass work Gehrig said, also noting that the chemicals from the plastics work make for a very hot fire.
According to the WFD the cause of the fire has not been determined at this time.
The building was listed as a total loss, and no other properties or buildings were damaged in the fire.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said agency personnel are assisting first responders and monitoring the air quality in the area.
As of this time, the agency says there are no active concerns.
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