A massive chemical fire broke out at a manufacturing facility in Mississippi on Monday, forcing employees to evacuate as fire crews battled the blaze.
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Fire breaks out at Howard Industries
Local perspective:
The fire broke out at a Howard Industries facility in Laurel after a paint booth caught fire next to a tanker truck carrying an explosive substance, Mayor Johnny Magee told local media.
All employees were evacuated, and fire departments across Jones County were called to the scene, according to WDAM-TV. Crews had mostly contained the fire by 8 p.m.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured or how much damage the fire caused.
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Thick smoke plumes billowed from a fire at Howard Industries in Laurel, Mississippi, on Monday. (Lenard Bob Estacio via Storyful)
Video shows billows of smoke
Dig deeper:
Video of the aftermath showed thick smoke plumes billowing from the fire.
What they’re saying:
“Cloud of black smoke reminds me of the volcanic eruption I experienced as a kid. Worst fire I’ve seen in a long time,” employee Lenard Bob Estacio, who recorded the video, wrote in a Facebook post.
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