Pubdate: Mon, 24 Feb 2003
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2003, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Reggie Beehner

TOXIC CLOUD WREAKS HAVOC IN GULFPORT

GULFPORT - A toxic cloud of anhydrous ammonia hovered over north Gulfport 
for six hours Sunday morning, spawned by what authorities believe was a 
botched burglary attempt at a chemical company.

The cloud, which originated from an open tank valve at a nearby chemical 
manufacturing company, triggered widespread evacuations at businesses and 
hotels along U.S. 49. Major roadways, including U.S. 49 and Interstate 10, 
were closed to traffic for hours. And runways at the Gulfport-Biloxi 
International Airport went quiet as authorities feared ground crews would 
be exposed to the dangerous gas.

At least a dozen people were treated at hospitals, with many complaining of 
burning eyes and lungs. Of those admitted, all but one were later released, 
hospital officials said.

The leak, discovered around 2:11 a.m., originated from a tank of anhydrous 
ammonia at Channel Chemical Corp. on Seaway Road. The tank's valve had been 
left open. Though anhydrous ammonia is typically used as an agriculture 
fertilizer or industrial refrigerant, authorities said evidence found at 
the site led them to believe someone sought the chemical to manufacture 
illegal methamphetamine.

The fence surrounding the company apparently did little to deter potential 
thieves. But the company's owner, Tom Reid, said he would tighten security 
this week, adding surveillance cameras and other equipment.

"This was out of the blue," Reid said. "I couldn't believe how (the 
interest in methamphetamine) has escalated."

By 2:30 a.m., authorities had established a command post at Crossroads 
Shopping Center, located just a mile or so northeast of the leak's origin. 
Early on, authorities could not get close enough to the leaking tank to 
determine what chemical they were dealing with.

One attempt by a Gulfport police officer led to a nerve-rattling rescue in 
a nearby bayou, where the officer was trapped by the toxic cloud for 45 
minutes until a hazardous materials team fetched him by boat. Two emergency 
response officials and at least one other woman also inhaled some of the 
toxic fumes and were transported by ambulance to local hospitals.

"There were some tense moments," said Gulfport Deputy Chief Steve Barnes. 
"There almost always is whenever you have situations involving chemicals."

Officials said they were lucky in many respects. Light southwestern winds 
scarcely moved the toxic cloud more than a few miles from its origin in the 
largely empty industrial park. Furthermore, the early hour when the leak 
occurred proved a "blessing" because most employees were still at home, 
leaving most businesses empty, authorities said.

"This had the potential to be a life-threatening situation," said Gulfport 
Fire Chief Pat Sullivan. "It's something we constantly drill for, but we 
were still very lucky."

By 4:30 a.m., Gulfport firefighters had turned off the valve and stemmed 
the chemical leak. About 600 gallons of the chemical had escaped from the 
2,000-gallon tank.

Authorities monitored the toxic plume by helicopter. As the sun rose and 
temperatures warmed, the cloud dissipated. Still, local businesses could do 
little but wait.

The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, for example, which has stayed 
open through hurricanes, was forced to close for the first time in at least 
eight years, said Ken Spirito, the airport's assistant executive director.

At least five departing flights were delayed until the airport was 
authorized to reopen at about 10 a.m., stranding about 100 passengers on 
the airport's busiest travel day of the week.

Several of the airport's ground employees later were transported to 
hospitals for precautionary health checks.

Travelers, forced to evacuate their hotel rooms situated along U.S. 49, 
waited out the early-morning hours at restaurants just outside the 
evacuation zone.

By 8:30 a.m., Department of Environmental Quality officials determined that 
the air quality had returned to safe levels, allowing local roadways and 
businesses to reopen. At 9 a.m., Gulfport Police Chief Wayne Payne 
instructed about 25 officers to go door to door checking on residents.
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MAP posted-by: Beth