The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo — A series of explosions that devastated a chemical distribution plant and shrouded this city in black smoke was an accident, officials said Friday.
Fire Chief Richard Dyer said the blaze started Wednesday when employees were offloading a petroleum-based product. Several 55-gallon drums ignited, touching off the explosions that injured two workers inside the Chemcentral Corp. plant.
A company official previously said the chemical may have been polybutene, which is used in a variety of products, including liners for cereal boxes.
The fire destroyed the five-acre plant, with losses estimated at $1 million. Company officials said they plan to rebuild.
The fire department determined late Thursday that conditions were safe enough to allow the return of most residents and business owners in a six-block area. They were to be allowed to pass checkpoints with identification.
The site was turned over to company officials on Friday, after it was determined that all fires had been extinguished and there was no sign of toxic vapors.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources have said they would continue to monitor for environmental effects.