Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with the latest information.
VINTON COUNTY, Ohio (WOWK) – A community has been given the all clear after being asked to evacuate after a nitric acid leak at an explosives plant in Vinton County, Ohio.
According to Vinton County EMS, a call came in around 8:37 a.m. Wednesday for a reported leak at the Austin Powder Plant, located at 3200 Powder Plant Road in McArthur. The plant was evacuated after the leak was found.
Robert Czechlowski, Jackson County EMA Director, says the chemical that leaked is nitric acid. He adds that Austin Powder is one of the few plants in the United States that make explosives.
During a press conference Wednesday afternoon, he said 3,000 gallons of nitric acid were released from a 5,000-gallon tank, creating a chemical reaction that caused a plume of nitric oxide. He says the plume looks like a red cloud.
As a precaution, residents were to evacuate from Powder Plant Road between Rt 50 and Rt 278 as well as from Creek Road, Morgan Road and Infirmary Road, and the Village of Zaleski. Zaleski had originally been in a shelter in place.
Around 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office announced the evacuation orders had been lifted. Officials say that while the orders have been lifted, it could still take days or even weeks to clean up some of the aftermath from the leak.
Czechlowski says this situation impacted approximately 750 residents of Vinton County.
The Federal Aviation Administration also put a 30-mile no-fly zone around the plant with a 23,000-foot ceiling.
Ohio State Senator Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) issued a statement urging constituents to stay safe and follow orders from local authorities.
“Public safety is of the utmost importance,” said Wilkin. “I urge those affected to listen to the local sheriff’s office and other emergency personnel on what to do and how to proceed during this emergency,” Wilkin said.
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) also released a statement on the chemical leak on social media.
“I am closely monitoring the situation in McArthur, and my office is in contact with state and federal authorities assessing the situation. If you are in need of immediate assistance, please reach out to my team, who are standing by to help,” Moreno said.
The Red Cross set up a shelter at Vinton County High School for the evacuees. The National Weather Service in Charleston is currently monitoring the plume, which it says is heading northeast.
Czechlowski says multiple hazmat teams responded to the scene from the Wellston and the Ross County fire departments. He also says emergency crews were placed on standby at the Vinton County Emergency Operations Center as they had to wait for the plume of nitric acid to dissipate.
The EPA monitored the plant until the leak was contained, and conducted air monitoring before they gave people the all clear.
At this time, no injuries have been reported.
Czechlowski warns that the symptoms of nitric oxide exposure include irritation in the eyes, nose and throat, as well as drowsiness and possible unconsciousness. He warns that extreme doses of “acute exposure” can be fatal.
Czechlowski also says that anyone who feels like they’ve been exposed should clean themselves and wash out their eyes, and if the effects linger, seek medical attention.
This situation is ongoing, and Nexstar’s WOWK 13 News will bring you more information as it unfolds.