IP Explosion: Cleanup Area Expands Into New Areas; Commissioner Meets With Victims

January 28, 2017

The cleanup and remediation area around the International Paper Mill in Cantonment had expanded into two new neighborhoods by Friday, as a county commissioner vowed to hold the paper company responsible for the needs of his constituents.

“As a result of the events at the International Paper mill Sunday evening, I am greatly concerned about the well being and the livelihoods of my friends, neighbors and constituents who have been negatively impacted by the explosion,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry, who represents the area, said.

Barry joined NorthEscambia.com’s publisher in walking  Woodbury Circle and Woodbury Place Friday morning, observing  the cleanup efforts and talking to residents that remained behind.

“I can’t afford to leave home,” one resident said. “They (International Paper) will pay you back for a hotel, but I don’t have the money to pay for it up front,” one resident said. He said was generally pleased with IP’s cleanup efforts in his neighborhood, but he did have health concerns after the area was covered by with a mixture of black liquor and wood pulp during Sunday night’s explosion.

International Paper has said short term skin irritation was the most common concern with exposure to the material. Individuals with health concerns were urged by IP to contact their primary care physician.

The IP-funded cleanup started days ago in the Woodbury area. By Friday, teams had fanned out into two other neighborhood on Countri Lane and Kathleen Avenue, power washing streets. IP said more than 160 people were working at a faster rate that initially anticipated to “restore” the neighborhood. Full-scale remediation efforts were underway on 10 houses, and more than three miles of roadways have been cleaned.

Residents with concerns following the IP explosion are asked to call the Joint Information Center 24 hours a day at (850) 968-4208. On Saturday from 2-4 p.m., International Paper will host a Community Open House for residents and businesses in the affected area. The open house will take place on the Cantonment Mill lawn (large white tent), located at 375 Muscogee Road.

Pictured top: Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry meets with a resident of Woodbury Circle Friday morning in the area impacted by the Cantonment International Paper explosion. Also pictured: By Friday, the cleanup had expanded to Countri Lane (pictured inset) and Kathleen Avenue (pictured below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

2 Responses to “IP Explosion: Cleanup Area Expands Into New Areas; Commissioner Meets With Victims”

  1. Chris on January 28th, 2017 6:59 pm

    Mr. Coe,

    You’re right. I’m at 138 Countri Lane and the swath of fallout was right over my house. Good talking to you the other day. Haha, always wondered who the point of contact was for that property behind me.

  2. Henry W Coe on January 28th, 2017 9:10 am

    Go look at the roof at 138 Countri Ln. A piece of my property behind there going sort of ESE to Kathleen Ave is the path for the contamination fallout.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News