Fire at Chemical Plant Causes Burn Injuries

One person was sent to the hospital with critical injuries and three others were burned after a fire at a chemical plant near downtown Chattanooga, TN, on Thursday, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.

Hazmat crews responded to reports of a commercial fire at TS USA around 9 a.m., officials said. The building was evacuated because of the hazardous chemicals involved, the department said.

On its X account, the fire department stated that one man was burned and his coworkers were trying to help him.

The fire was extinguished by workers who used fire extinguishers on site. Firefighters began patient care on the burned individual, while some went inside the plant to make sure the fire was out.

"The company has a state-of-the-art salt bath nitriding line. Large cylinders contain a hot solution that reacts with water," the department stated. "It appears there was a chemical reaction, causing an explosion."

One patient was transferred to the hospital with extensive burns. Three others were treated on scene with minor burn injuries.

TS USA is a member of HEF Group, a pioneer of Liquid Nitriding technology with more than 50 global facilities. According to the company website, liquid nitriding is a surface enhancement process. It is used to enhance the wear and corrosion resistance of plain carbon steels, low alloy steels, and stainless steels for a wide range of precision components and industries, including automotive, oil & gas, hydraulic and pneumatic machinery, construction, transportation and material handling equipment, and general purpose industrial machinery.