A shelter-in-place for businesses and residents near a South Charleston chemical plant has been lifted.
The Solenis Tableting Plant was evacuated Wednesday afternoon and a shelter-in-place was enacted for the surrounding community after a drum of chlorine powder reportedly began to decompose, allowing moisture to react with the powder.
The incident is still under investigation but emergency crews on the scene say that moisture potentially formed a chlorine gas that set off alarms at the plant.
Chlorine gas can be fatal if inhaled. The South Charleston Fire Department, one of several emergency crews to respond to the incident, confirmed the chemical has been contained.
“All employees have been accounted for, and no injuries have been reported at this time,” read a press release from the Kanawha County Commission.
Solenis employs up to 200 people and makes dry bleach compounds for use in swimming pools and spas.
As of late Wednesday afternoon emergency crews were on the scene working to ventilate the building.