2-Alarm Fire Reported at Chemical Plant in Pennsylvania

A malfunction in a sulfur scrubber is being eyed as the cause of a two-alarm fire that broke out Monday afternoon at the Atlas Minerals and Chemicals plant in Longswamp Township, PA, several local news organizations reported.

Atlas President Frank Hanson told WFMZ that an electrical issue may have caused the sulfur scrubber to catch on fire. Fire crews were called to the site at 12:30 p.m. 

“It caused a fire that caught on to the scrubbing unit and the holder tank next to it,” Hanson said in the television news station’s coverage. “It also scorched a couple buildings next to it.”

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Flames were contained to siding on the plant and part of the roofline during the incident. Topton Fire Chief Jason Robinson said in an interview with the Reading Eagle. The fire started in a part of the plant where nontoxic processes are conducted, according to the official. 

“There was a small scrubber in a sulphur processor, so there was no danger to firefighters and no evacuation was needed,” Chief Robinson told the newspaper. 

Atlas Minerals and Chemicals is a developer and manufacturer of corrosion-resistant construction materials (CCM), Epoxybond brand repair products, industrial compounds, and oxidized asphalts, information the firm’s website said.  

No injuries were reported during the fire. 

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