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No Injuries As Explosion Rips Through International Paper In Cantonment
January 23, 2017
An explosion ripped through the International Paper plant in Cantonment Sunday night, but there were no injuries reported.
A black, slippery substance covered the area around the plant, including several hundred feet of Highway 29, while residents as far away as Santa Rosa County reported hearing or feeling the explosion. Related story: Black Information Released On Black Substance, Clean Up.
The 911 calls reporting the explosion began about 7:38 p.m. with large response from multiple fire and emergency units. They arrived to find vehicles sliding around Highway 29, but no active fire reported. All employees were accounted for with no reports of any injuries or fatalities, according to Joy Tsubooka, spokesperson for Escambia County.
At least one building in the IP facility suffered structural damage on multiple stories. Plant officials were evaluating the damage Sunday night.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Escambia County Fire Rescue remained on the scene until just before midnight.
Highway 29 from Woodbury Circle to Morris Avenue and Muscogee Road from 297A to Highway 29 were closed. There are no school closures; all Escambia County Schools are to be open as usual on Monday according to Superintendent Malcolm Thomas.
There were no evacuations ordered.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection also responded to the explosion scene, with representative assessing the situation.
International Paper staff with questions about reporting to work were asked to contact their immediate supervisor.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Related story: All Escambia Schools Are Open On Monday
Related story: Road Closures
Related story: Black Substance Covers Area Around Plant
Pictured top: Emergency crews on the scene following an explosion at International Paper in Cantonment Sunday night. Pictured below: First responders coordinate their response efforts from a command post at IP. Pictured bottom: A vehicle that was passing the mill at the time of the explosion covered in a black substance. Reader submitted photos by Taylor Nezovich and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
63 Responses to “No Injuries As Explosion Rips Through International Paper In Cantonment”
I don’t know why everyone is up in arms about lawsuits being filed. I live in the Woodbury neighborhood and have not heard one person say anything about a lawsuit. We all just want our properties cleaned and returned to their previous conditions. Some people in the neighborhood are unable to do that on their own due to their age and, frankly, no one should have to clean all the mess on their own. It should be IP’s responsibility. The only complaint I have is with IP’s response time (20 hours to contact the community is not acceptable) and I voiced this with IP’s corporate office. We all know, though, how valuable IP is to our community. We just expect them to do the right thing and I believe they will.
Everybody who was working there or lives around thereally should be giving thanks to God that nobody was injured or killed.
@Jeeperman, I worked for Champion and International Paper for many years and I never saw what you just accused International Paper of dumping stuff! Better be very careful of your actuations sir!!
So many of our family have worked at the paper mill, and retired from the mill that we understand how much this area needs this mill. Our uncle retired from there and he started there in 1951. He actually mixed the liquor in the vats. If it was very dangerous he would not have lived to be 93 years old. He has told us of all the safety features they have in place. All of you people talking about lawsuits are so sad, the first thing you are thinking of is sue. How about thinking about how families are going to pay their bills until they go back to work. I thank GOD that no one was hurt, and everything can be cleaned up and people can go back to work. If it is on your car use dishwashing liquid to wash it off. Works great.
@Ethan Sullens, I love a company man, would love to have you in my employment.
In light of all this conjecture and speculation, one thing is for certain; THE BUCK IS ROLLING DOWN HILL!
I have lived down here for 20+ years and have seen all the good things that IP/Champion Paper has done for this community. Now in their time of need I would like to see the community try to give back A small donation adds up. If anyone knows how to make this happen, please let me know.
My parents live less than a mile from the plant. My mom was driving home and was almost there when it happened. It was so loud she thought a bomb hit her car. My dad was in the house, and is a heart patient. It scared him terribly when it happened and shook the entire house. Luckily it didn’t trigger a heart attack. Their home, yard, and cars are covered in the black liquor. My mom has been having nose and throat irritation.
I’ve worked at International Paper in other locations as a sub-contractor doing fire alarm and sprinkler work and I can tell you that they implement major precautions. IP is one of if not the safest work environment I’ve ever set foot in. They pride themselves on safety. Safety classes, certification and PPE is endless. Each machine is meticulously picked apart on a regular basis and inspected. So this accident was going to happen, regardless. We live in an imperfect world.I have no doubt that the company will correct this. This is a good company. #MyTwoCents
I thank the LORD JESUS CHRIST that know one was INJURIE are KILLED. Wane all that take place last night.
i have to agree with papermakers wifes.shes right we need this company in our area.alot of people depend on this place to feed their familes.my dad work there when it opened in the 50s and it went on down the line with all of us.just thank god no one was killed like at monsanto. there has never been a problem with this company so quit downing this company.its been here for all our familes through the years.not only will it hurt the familes.think about all the pulp wood drivers that feed their familes.people want to sue think about who they gona hurt.there are no good paying jobs here as it is.we need ip
WHAT ABOUT THE ANIMAL’S !
Does NTERNATIONAL PAPER & OSHA
CARE ABOUT THE WILD LIFE THAT IM SURE ITS EFFECTING.
Everyone should listen to the Papermakers Wife…my husband works in the area where the explosion occurred. Thank God he was with me and not at work last night. He walks around in the black substance that was scattered about for several hours, almost every day. I don’t see any ill effects from exposure to it. Soap and water will clean it off of your vehicles. I’m sure it’s a nuisance, but the bigger picture needs to be looked at. There are a bunch of people without jobs right now, but no one was hurt. When my husband heard what had happened, and where, he immediately said, “Somebody died”. I’m so thankful that’s not the case. This is just a thing…it’ll pass like everything always does. Thanks be to God for His protecting hand!
Yeah it’s an inconvenience with the road closed and residue on vehicles. But let’s take a minute to be grateful that no one died. Things can be cleaned and the mill rebuilt. But can’t replace our friends and family.
I did not hear anything and I did not get anything on my white car and I was at an address on 297A and Kingsfield at the time of the accident.
I’m still a little worried about this myself. I was listening to the scanner last night and firemen must have been worried about the black ash because they were washing themselves in mud puddles! That doesn’t sound like “non hazardous” material to me. I also heard on the scanner of 2 different people who were taken to SHH…so I question the news reports of none injured. There were also a couple of neighborhood citizens who were taken by EMS due to breathing issues from inhaling the ash. But there was no news on that at all…….I just Thank God that he was looking out for everyone in that plant-this could have been much worse than even the Solutia incident.
A release was given to wash with copious (lots of) amounts of water. If one does not, I imagine it is on them. The sodium hydroxide in the black liquor is a base, NaOH and disassociates (make harmless) in water. It is not extremely toxic. Dilution is the solution.
12:30 PM Monday
Spots of the black liquor (so they call it) is on my vehicles. It’s not a bad spread. But I live South of the plant near Heritage Baptist Church on Hwy297A. Guess a small amount of degreaser/water will remove it. I’m too old to get out and wash a car. Maybe a local drive thru car wash will help. Thankful no one was injured. That was a serious BOOM. Heard 3 small booms about an hour ago 5 seconds apart. Not sure what that was.
@ Duke reading your comment saying that they should ensure an accident as such never happens again. Logically thinking that’s nearly impossible. It’s a production plant. That’s like telling your car to never break down again after you replace a part on it. Don’t worry I’m sure you will file your lawsuit or complaint and meanwhile life goes on. Well in this circumstance it does this time. I’m sure those that know people who work in or are in and out of the plant understand that things happen. And are uncontrollable. And they are just happy and blessed to speak with the persons and know they are okay and see another day.
Is anyone aware of who to call to clean this stuff out of the yard and off the house? I don’t want to clean anything toxic nor do I feel that I should be responsible for this mess. We have elderly people in the neighborhood that are unable to clean their yards.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Thankful everyone is OK.
if you want real news, about what’s going on in Pensacola or surrounding areas, DON’T watch channel 3 news. channel 5 now covers Pensacola and Northescambia. com is the best place for news.
To all those whining about your property damage I know IP will take care of it but my point is as a papermakers wife I for one am so happy that no one was hurt or killed during this event! And we really need to think about the ones who couldn’t go to work today because the mill is down, this is our livelihood for our family and many others! So people quit being selfish about a little black liquor on your car and go wash it off like the fort responders said too! And lets remember the bigger picture people, God protected ALL of those workers and I for one am thankful for that and you should be too, what if it had been one of your family members out there working when it happened, you would want everyone to be ok! So let’s start thinking before talking crap about the paper mill! There are sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even grandparents that work out there! It’s not an easy job but someone has to do it!!!
Sincerely,
A Thankful Papermakers Wife
I was driving south on 29 passing right in front of the paper mill when it happened. It rattled my truck (and my nerves) and I thought for a second something hit me not knowing what it was. I haven’t noticed any black stuff on my truck but it is black so maybe I need to double check.
For property damage on our vehicle who can we contact and how do we get it off?
Been around black liquor for years when i worked for a paper mill …for those of you who have it on your vehicles, houses, etc just hit it with a water hose, (you don’t have to touch the black liquor) and it will wash right off, if its in the road or your drive do the same, it washes away real easy…it has a soapy bubbly look when washed or hosed down. If somehow you get in your eyes or on your skin, just simply use water to wash it out of your eyes or off your skin…you might feel a slight burning in your eyes or skin contact but if you wash thoroughly it will go away.
I would NOT leave my animals outside. The black liquor substance is caustic and toxic. Keep your windows closed and wash your cars off. As for Ch 3 news they are a sad excuse for a news station and everyone from here sure knows that. Most folks I know watch Ch 5 for better version. They are as bad as that fish wrap News Journal. Northescambia is awesome! Stay safe all and do your own research on thr black liquor and do not depend on IP’s marketing person to inform you or thos crooked town to help.
How bad can that black liquor stuff be?
Well for years the paper mills dumped it directly into the nearest creek/river/lake/bay, etc.
Then they figured out how reuse it to their benefit and the environments benefit.
Look at the car in this article.
The cars own wiper and washers were able to clear the windshield so can’t be too catastrophic and bad.
Glad to hear that there might be no injuries.
Several people commented why WEAR is not on top of news that are critical to the public. Watched Channel 3 at 10 pm last night – they mentioned the explosion vaguely – but not a word on the storms and tornadoes that devastated the South. Instead they spent most of their air time rehashing the election and politics. As long as the public enjoys wallowing in political garbage day after day none of these so called news stations will change their tune and go back to reporting what is newsworthy. TURN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM OFF!
“A class action effort, aimed not only at community compensation, but ensuring that such an incident never occurs again, may prove more effective, as opposed to individual suits.”
I see the vultures are already out.
Duke,
Why don’t you give them a few hours to assess the damage and try to make things right before running to an ambulance chaser to make sure you get you “entitled” amount of compensation. And I don’t think the mill is in the business of having something on the property explode, it doesn’t seem to be in IP’s best interest, I think they will look at the cause and make the necessary adjustments without needing to be guided by “concerned” citizens like yourself. It doesn’t take long for the bottom feeders to show up after an incident, does it.
Thank-you to Northescambia.com and all of the local people making comments. This sounds very serious to all who live out there. I know I’ll be praying for all of you back in the city. The Lord will protect, he sure did last night!
429SJC – They built most of the community around the plant, because that was where most of them worked. St. Regis (prior to Champion and then IP) put most of the existing infrastructure in for their employees (who were having to come up 95a from Pensacola and the surrounding area). Prior to that, Cantonment was almost all agricultural.
My husband has worked at this mill over 26 years and was at work during this explosion. First of all I’m so very Thankful him and his co workers are all okay. Now we are worried about our livelihood. The stress and worry is alot. I feel for the people with damage to cars but I’m sure insurance will handle that. On the other hand hundreds of men and women employed by the mill are worried about the outcome. It’s just a bad situation.
I am curious to know when IP will notify citizens who suffered property damage, as to where and when their damage claims will be filed?
A class action effort, aimed not only at community compensation, but ensuring that such an incident never occurs again, may prove more effective, as opposed to individual suits.
We left our car at the gas station after being told not to drive it due to the hazardous material. I was told that deputies were washing the substance off of their vehicles. Is it safe to drive our car home and clean it ourselves
A time bomb, sitting right in the middle of a high density population zone.
I am thankful that no was hurt, however I am of the opinion that zoning laws should have never allowed a community to develop on the door steps of such an industrial facility.
Patrice please do not think that channel 3 is a news station.
Is 29 still closed?
My family and I drove by as it Happend the exosion rumbled us all and not to mention my car is covered and doesn’t come off very easily we have been feeling sick and badheadached every since considering we we’re estuck for quiet a bit in the horrible smell
My 94 accord is coved in that stuf. I aint touchin that mess. I hope ip get me a new car.
I live right next to the paper mill and it shook are whole house and slung are door open it is pretty bad out here
Me & the Dawg were waiting for a pizza @ Caesar’s next to WD in Gonzalez.
Washed the car off 3x times, drove through some mud puddles and re-sprayed the undercarriage after re-reading MSDS & associated literature on “black liquor” used during the pulp~mash~paper process [yeah, i know that's a simplistic flowchart, but i also checked similar black liquor vessel explosions, and am just thanking GOD that the wind was strong out of the West, carrying spew/fumage more over a lower-population density area... ]
too wordy?
Happy Monday.
Everyone Be/Stay Safe.
I drove right through the seen and the black liquor looks nasty and it bad
The detour directions are incorrect. Southbound could exit HWY 29 and turn right onto county road 196 until it dead-ends at Jacks Branch Rd. then go left on Jack’s Branch until you get to the stop sign at Muscogee Rd. Continue straight to county rd. 97A (this is not Jack Branch Rd.)which you turn right onto. Follow until you get to Kingsfield Rd. and turn left and you will come out to HWY 29 past the paper mill.
I was passing by as the explosion happened. Next thing I know my car was covered in this black stuff. Couldn’t see how to drive and the smell was overbearing. I was told not to drive the vehicle because the chemical was hazardous
It scared the mess out of me and my family becauwe not only did we hear it but it shook my home bad!
Anything we could help with?
We felt it in Milton.
Everyone is accounted for out at the IP mill (thank God). My husband has worked at the Paper Mill since 1979 (When it was St. Regis) and tonight he was suppose to go in on 3rd shift, but they called him in early. Shortly after he got there, the explosion happened. He said in all the 37 years he has worked there, he has never had to run out, in, over anything till tonight, It is a mess he said out there. Black liquar everywhere. The one thing I do know about IP, they are always on high alert for every ones safety!
I was in the middle of it my car is covered in that stuff. So how do I clean it or do I ? If the plant is being treated as hazmat than is that stuff on my car hazardous?
Will school be canceled?? For Tate highschool
Why is WEAR channel 3 tv not reporting anything about the explosion?
Bad call to send kids to school tomorrow not knowing how far black liquor, ash, and fumes have reached. I for sure won’t be sending mine.
Is this ash harm full to animals that live outside
Is it harm full to animals that live out side?
it’s black liquor in the road…
Felt it in Beulah. Prayers go out to all involved.
Praying for all involved!!!!!!
They are saying the liquid is Black Liquor and toxic. Being treated as HazMat
Thank you for always reporting the NEWS UNLIKE WEAR
Praying everybody is ok
We live off Kingsfield, our whole neighborhood shook! It felt just
Like the explosion a couple months ago. Prayers for everyone involved!
Apparently you could hear it from Pace, hopefully no one was injured