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One Killed During Major Explosion At Cantonment Airgas Plant
August 29, 2016
One person was killed as a major explosion ripped through the Airgas facility next to the Ascend Performance Materials plant on Old Chemstrand Road in Cantonment just after noon Sunday. There were no other injuries or fatalities.
About 12:15 p.m., multiple agencies from across Escambia County responded to the Airgas facility. First responders reported a major explosion with an area of significant structural collapse. The area was described a “mini-war zone”.
The gas that exploded was nitrous oxide, some of which was released into the atmosphere but did not pose any threat to the public. There were no gasses or chemicals released outside the industrial facility. There were no evacuations or shelter in place orders issued for residents living near the plant.
The Ascend plant supplies a mixture of gases to the Airgas plant, which Airgas uses to make nitrous oxide.
“Ascend personnel and contractors are all safe and accounted for at this time. Ascend’s site operations continue to operate safety,” Ascend said in a written statement. “Ascend is currently working with local authorities and first responders…Ascend’s facilities located near the event may have sustained some damage, which Ascend will assess after the completion of all necessary emergency response procedures.”
As emergency workers, assisted by an Ascend response team, secured the area made sure there was no risk of an additional explosions, it was determined that one Airgas employee was missing. After an extensive search, his body was recovered after 6 p.m. His name has not yet been released.
Residents across the area reported feeling the blast, including Amy Hayes.
“My property borders the plant, the closest one to it. I was outside when I felt the blast… it was like a movie, feeling the heat blast/wave that literally pushes into your body. It blew the wooden frames off our windows. The plume was immediate and after not knowing what the smell was … confirming that it was nitrous of some sort and could be dangerous,” Hayes said, adding that she evacuated with her children and dogs. “It was a major explosion and I never want to feel that again.”
The investigation is under the lead of the Florida State Marshal’s Office. Other agencies that responded to the scene included Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Emergency Management, Escambia County EMS, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia Search and Rescue, the ATF, Florida Highway Patrol, the Trauma Intervention Program on Northwest Florida, and K-9 teams from the Century Correctional Institution.
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Reader photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
29 Responses to “One Killed During Major Explosion At Cantonment Airgas Plant”
Our church congregation at Kingsfield and Chemstrand Roads heard and felt the blast as our pastor was ending our morning worship service. It was as if a jet had broken the sound barrier. We’re praying for all those involved and mourning the loss of the one. So sad! (Also proud of the response of the several emergency teams!)
Prayers for the family’s of the lost loved one
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of a young man that is known to our family. My heart goes out to his family. So sad.
Thought and prayers to the family and loved ones of the man who died. God Bless
My prayers go out to all the friends and family of the AirGas employee. I have known him nearly all my life and still can not believe this has happened.
The plume of gas seen in the photos appears to be venting from a thermal oxidizer that was shut down from the explosion. Those gasses, if that is what is venting, are NCGs and SOGs. Before the installation of this device, industrial plants regularly vented these gasses.
NITROUS OXIDE is colorless. Nitrogen Dioxide is orange in color. As an environmental tester we are always told to stay away from the orange/brown clouds…..
My prayers go out to the Airgas employee and his family.
Only the Lord knows what day we are coming home. Gone on a Sunday, I hope there is a healing for the family on that thought. I hope it brings all of the neighbors closer too. We really do need each other.
My heart and prayers go out to the family of the man who passed away.
Please pray for the family who has lost a husband, son, brother, friend! God Bless you and your family! Another GOOD MAN gone from the class of 2002!
I was in church this morning when the doors rattled. We thought a train had derailed. Praying for everyone there and the family that loss.
Confirmed, Please pray for the family of a young man found in the rubble… they are devastated for sure. May God have mercy on them at this difficult time.
The explosion shook my house on west kingsfield road. All my neighbors came outside to see what it was. It was pretty intense!
Felt the tremor and heard our windows raddle this morning early. Came from that direction. Are all AIRGAS personnel accounted for?
Thanks to all of the first responders that responded to the explosion out at Acend/Air Gas. Pray that all have good news.
The smoke you see in this picture in NOT fire. It’s Nitrous Oxide venting. Normal under off-line conditions
How can they contain a Chemical that has gone up in air?
Omg praying everyone is okay! My family and I live off Kingsfield Road and heard the explosion; the entire house and ground shook!
Very loud explosion. It made the entire house shake and window rattle. Wish more info was known and if chemicals were released into the atmosphere.
So sorry to hear of this explosion. Hope no injuries occured. I have family that live down Old Chemstrand Rd. I use to work at Chemstrand. Please keep me informed of this happening. Thanks again for the report.
I was outside doing yard work northwest in cantonment fl. about 1hr or so ago and a explosion made me take a step back. We live about 7 miles northwest right off 95 a in cottage Hill area . Thank you very much for the report no other media on Tv or radio is addressing this on air live to the community. That yellow smoke is not good for commuity
It seems a Vessel exploded at Airgas, hope all is ok!
I’m hearing it was a Vessel explosion at the AirGas plant next door.
Heard the explosion, but felt little effect.
Prayers for all involved.
Evidently no evacuation of the surrounding area was necessary, so it can’t be too bad
Prayers
I was wondering what that was. The whole house shook and I thought the doors were going to rattle off of their hinges…and I’m all the way over between West Roberts and Kingsfield.
We live about 2 or 3 miles away off of Chemstrand Road and felt the explosion at our house. The windows and front door of our house shook. We thought it was thunder. So scary. Praying everyone is alright.
My mom and dad have been told to leave the area and they live off of Millcreek road near the golf course