Explosion at Arkansas Plant, No Injuries Reported

Authorities say an explosion and fire at the Clean Harbors Inc. plant in El Dorado caused no injuries or health threats and the fire was allowed to burn itself out.

Union County Emergency Management Director Jerry Thomas told the El Dorado News-Times that containers of metal that were under pressure exploded in a metal warehouse about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday. Thomas said heat likely sparked the blast and the fire was contained inside the warehouse until it burned itself out within about three hours.

The company declined comment on the explosion Wednesday morning. The company’s website describes the El Dorado plant as an incineration site for hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

Assistant Fire Chief James Davis says air monitoring by the El Dorado Fire Department found no pollution in the area.