Updated Friday noon:
(KAIR, Atchison)–A chemical spill left the city of Atchison blanketed in a dense haze Friday morning, with students evacuated but no serious injuries reported.
It developed at MGP Ingredients,shortly after 8:00, where, according to a press conference held by Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking, two chemicals were indadvertenly mixed, which led to the chemical plume. Although initial reports indicate it involved the mixing of chlorine with sulfuric acid, local officials are not immediately confirming that claim.
It was revealed at the press conference that no serious injuries have been reported, but respiratory concerns did lead to the medical treatment of some residents.
Due to health concerns, and the clean-up effort, city streets, and nearby travel routes, were closed until late morning.
Dr. Susan Myers, the Superintendent of Atchison’s USD 409, told MSC News Atchison County Emergency Management Director Wes Lanter directed that students be evacuated Friday morning. With the assistance of buses from the school district, along with those on loan from Effingham and Pleasant Ridge, students were evacuated, school by school, and transported to the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport.
Myers calls the situation “unprecedented.”
As of 10:40 Friday morning, an emergency alert update, sent by the school district, notified parents that students were being returned to their respective buildings. The Elementary School was not affected.
Benedictine College evacuated as the chemical plume blanketed the city, with those students traveling to the Atchison State Lake for shelter. Atchison residents were told to stay inside homes and businesses, but to close windows and doors
while not operating furnaces or air conditioning. Atchison Child Care, located on Kansas Avenue, just blocks from MGP, also
evacuated the infants, toddlers, nursery class and early preschoolers to the to New Assembly of God Church on South 5th Street, Program Director Carrie Sowers advised parents.
The pre-schoolers were taken to the cafeteria at the Atchison Hospital. Sowers said students will not return to ACC today. Parents should pick students at the evacuation locations.
The ACES School, located on the city’s north side, does not have classes Friday.
earlier report:
A chlorine plume has caused major issues in Atchison, with residents being urged to take shelter inside and the Red Cross with a shelter-in-place plan.
An MGP Ingredient official indicates two chemicals including sodium chloride were accidently mixed together causing a reaction and the plume over the facility and now over much of the town due to the lack of wind.
While no serious injuries have yet been reported, several people have gone to the emergency room at the Atchison Hospital.
The leak started around 8:30 a.m. Friday morning.
Atchison County officials are closing and evacuating the county courthouse. Benedictine College has been evacuated and some schools were reportedly re-locating students.
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