US News
Chemical fire at Mississippi electrical transformer plant forces facility evacuation
Firefighters mostly contained the blaze at the Howard Industries facility in Laurel after a paint booth caught fire near a tanker truck.
The short version
- A major chemical fire broke out at a Howard Industries manufacturing plant in Laurel, Mississippi.
- All facility employees were evacuated as firefighters from across Jones County responded to the scene.
- Crews had mostly contained the fire by 8 p.m. Monday.
- Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any injuries occurred or the extent of the structural damage.
Key facts
- A chemical fire broke out on Monday at a Howard Industries facility in Laurel, Mississippi.[Fox News]
- Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee stated the fire originated in a paint booth adjacent to a tanker truck carrying an explosive substance.[Fox News]
- All workers inside the facility were evacuated during the incident.[Fox News]
- Multiple fire departments from across Jones County assisted in responding to the fire, bringing it largely under control by 8 p.m.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Officials have not yet detailed if any injuries resulted from the fire or determined the full extent of the facility damage.[Fox News]