Major Fire At Atmore Chemical Plant

July 29, 2017

Firefighters battled a major chemical fire in Atmore Saturday morning.

The Atmore Fire Department was called about 5:30 a.m. to a sulfur fire at Tiger Sul (formerly Sunbelt Chemicals) on Highway 31 near the Country Club. Sulfur was reportedly burning inside a large warehouse at the facility. Firefighters reported that fire was through the roof of the warehouse and the building was in danger of collapse.

There were no Tiger-Sul employees working at the time of the fire and no employee injuries. A few firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion.

The Poarch Creek Fire Department, Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Rabun Fire Department and  others from Baldwin County, and the Walnut Hill Station and McDavid stations of Escambia (FL) Fire Rescue also responded to the fire. Fire units from as far away as Saraland and hazmat team from CSX responded, while the Flomaton Fire Department stood by to answer other call in the city.

Nearby Alto Products Corp. was evacuated as a precaution. A shelter in place order was issued for residents near the plant. The caustic smoke was said to be a danger to those with asthma and other breathing problems. Residents were being advised to stay indoors. The shelter in place order was lifted by 11 a.m.

As of 11 a.m. firefighters had back off the fire, letting remaining sulfur burn. Florida firefighters were released and returning.

Highway 31 was closed from James Road in Nokomis to Industrial Drive in Atmore.

Emergency air quality monitoring was put into place in Florida (read more).

NorthEscambia.com photos by Tim Doerr and others, click to enlarge.


Comments

9 Responses to “Major Fire At Atmore Chemical Plant”

  1. Frankie Baggett on July 29th, 2017 6:11 pm

    Hope all is well.
    Worked at that plant for 23 years.

  2. northendbratt on July 29th, 2017 4:28 pm

    Masland Carpets is right up the road from here.The plant is in operation,we’re they warned? It’s scary to me the way this was handled?

  3. Ron Weinmann on July 29th, 2017 12:56 pm

    I for one am very grateful that no one was hurt: and the respondents were very professional. I give thanks to our Lord for his faithful love in this incident . amen.

  4. Tracie hinton on July 29th, 2017 9:48 am

    Do people in the area need to evacuate? I have 2 two year olds and a new born and we have been breathing these fumes since 5 this morning

  5. Danny on July 29th, 2017 8:57 am

    Seems like they are in control of the situation. Our fire fighters can handle anything.

  6. Hillary on July 29th, 2017 8:55 am

    I’m just ready to go out of my house to go get some breakfast I’m starving

  7. Marilyn Branch on July 29th, 2017 7:48 am

    JUST GOT A PHONE CALL FROM THE ATMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SUNSET Chemical Plant. is on fire and to stay inside the smoke could be toxic and to close all vents from the outside going into my home!
    People please stay inside!

  8. Matt on July 29th, 2017 7:37 am

    they ‘re closing down 31 now. Smoke is horrible.

  9. Kathy on July 29th, 2017 6:56 am

    wow the smoke was bad!! I thought it was a house close by that plant is at least 5miles a way be careful people

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News