Historic Mill/Chemical Plant Catches Fire In Berlin: FD

BERLIN, CT — Area firefighters swarmed a historic mill building in Berlin Wednesday night into Thursday morning to battle a fire and reported an explosion at a chemical company there.

Fire broke out Wednesday night at the StanChem Resins chemical plant at 401 Berlin St., according to local fire officials.

According to the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department, the first reports of the blaze came at 8:13 p.m. Wednesday, with firefighters leaving the scene by 2 a.m.

No injuries were reported in the industrial site fire, but the Berlin Fire Marshals Office and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection are investigating.

After the initial 911 calls, fire officials said further calls were received reporting an explosion and a possible building fire at the chemical plant.

"The first arriving fire officer confirmed a working fire in a brick two-story industrial building that stores chemicals used in processing coatings," wrote the BVFD.

Images posted on the BVFD's Facebook page showed a deep, red glow inside the chemical plant's brick building.

According to the BVFD, fire personnel made an attack from the exterior, quickly knocking down the fire, and the building's sprinklers were in operation, which helped hold the fire in place.

"There was a brief search for an employee who was later found to be safe at home," wrote fire officials.

Meanwhile, all other employees were accounted for, and there were no civilian injuries.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury that was treated on scene, the firefighter returned to duty, the BVFD said.

DEEP and fire department personnel eventually went inside the building to investigate any hazards remaining from the chemicals and confirm that all hot spots had been extinguished.

"The extent of impact from runoff is expected to be minimal, and the facility is working with DEEP on any needed mitigation," wrote the BVFD. "There remains no risk to the public."

Fire officials said all four of Berlin's companies operated during the blaze, which was in the East Berlin part of town.

Fire officials said the smoke from the initial fire subsided, and there was no risk to the public, and no evacuations were planned.