Explosion at Biodiesel plant

Fire and safety officials were evacuating businesses immediately west of the Imperium Grays Harbor Biodiesel Plant on the border between Aberdeen and Hoquiam about 3 p.m. today following a large explosion at the plant.

The blast, which happened about 2:30, reportedly rattled windows two miles away. Hoquiam Assistant Fire Cheif Paul Dean said six employees were in the plant at the time and none were injured.

The evacuation was a precaution because a tank containing sulfuric acid was compromised and reportedly leaking into a diked area surrounding the plant. The acid becomes an irritant when it dissipates into the air.

The acid tank can hold as much as 3,000 gallons. It was not known how much acid was in the tank.

The pressurized tank that exploded held glycerin. A large chunk of the tank was blown at least 100 feet away and crashed through a chain link fence.

At about 3 p.m., the wind was blowing about 10-15 mph toward the ocean. “Normally, this time of day, it would be blowing into town,” said Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers. All things considered, “the conditions couldn’t get any better than this,” Myers said.