Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 14, 1995 TAG: 9503140124
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DANVILLE LENGTH: Short
No one was seriously injured in the 3:20 a.m. incident, and residents were allowed to return home at noon. About 240 people spent part of the morning at a shelter set up at a local armory by the Red Cross.
``We are confident the situation is under control and the surrounding community is properly safeguarded,'' said Dennis Space, vice president for operations at Hickson Danchem Corp.
Space said the black drums, which were stored outside in direct sunlight, got too hot and pressure built up inside, forcing the lids on about 19 barrels to pop one at a time.
Nineteen employees also were evacuated.
Fire Chief David Lampley said some residents complained about nausea and eye and throat irritation. A firefighter was treated for those symptoms at a hospital and was released.
The chemicals were identified as butyl acrylate, acrylic acid and styrene oxide. All are used in the manufacture of paint.
``The chemicals released into the air are far more offensive than dangerous,'' Space said in a news release issued by the company.
The state Department of Environmental Quality, concerned about possible contamination from runoff, took water samples from nearby Fall Creek.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.