Investigation begins on cause of chemical plant fire
By Linda Spice, Journal Sentinel, Inc
Posted: May 13, 2009
Agents from the State Fire Marshal’s office will begin their investigation Wednesday morning into the cause of a plant fire that burned at Columbus Chemical Industries.
The fire, which began about 8 p.m. Monday and burned into Tuesday, caused the evacuation of hundreds of homes, road closures, and a call out of up to 175 emergency personnel at the peak of operations.
Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls said investigators are expected to make their first entry into the building at N4335 Temkin Road.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency along with public health officials have determined that the air and water are safe outside the perimeter of the plant. The EPA, however, will continue to test wells in the area for the next few weeks to assure that water remains safe, according to sheriff’s officials.
Columbus Chemical has hired a contractor, Northshore Environmental, of Germantown, to provide environmental cleanup. BT Squared, with headquarters in Madison, will assist in operations and provide quad-gas monitoring inside and outside the hot zone. They will also be testing water wells as another precaution.
Sheriff’s officials noted in a release that “the citizens from this area deserve a huge thanks for their cooperation and patience.”
