() A chemical leak at a Vinton County, Ohio, explosives manufacturing plant Wednesday led to evacuations in several communities.
According to local affiliate WOWK, police received a call of a reported leak at the Austin Powder Plant. The chemical that leaked was nitric acid.
Residents in the area surrounding the plant were advised to evacuate and urged to leave the area to avoid exposure. EMS officials added that Zaleski, Ohio, officials informed residents to shelter in place as a plume of nitric acid may be heading in that direction.
“Public safety is of the utmost importance,” said State Sen. Shane 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.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also issued a temporary flight restriction with a 30 nautical mile radius in the area of the leak.
Austin Powder is one of the few plants in the United States that manufacture explosives and employs approximately 250 employees. No one was reported injured from the leak.
