37 Treated After Wastewater Plant Explosion

At least 37 people were treated for chemical exposure after an explosion occurred at a wastewater treatment facility in November. 

The chemicals in question were a mix of sulfuric acid and an organic peroxide, the Associated Press reported. On the day after the explosion, residents and businesses near the Santa Clara Waste Water Co. in Santa Paula, CA, were evacuated due to concerns about toxic smoke, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

Describing skin rashes, irritation in their eyes and throats, and problems with breathing, nearly 40 people were treated for exposure to chemicals. Nearly everyone was released soon after. 

The explosion occurred on November 18 at about 3:45 a.m. while two workers were moving 1,200 gallons of the chemical using a truck. 

"After the initial blasts, firefighters backed off and let the fires burn themselves out rather than try to put water on the chemical and potentially flush it into the nearby Santa Clara River," the AP reported. 

The scene was chaotic when first responders arrived. 

"The chemical is highly combustible. Just walking or placing an object on the substance created flareups," the Times reported, citing a fire captain. 

"Firefighters arrived at the scene about 3:45 a.m. after reports that a vacuum truck had exploded. The truck was sitting in the middle of the facility surrounded by a white substance that was spread by the explosion. When firefighters looked down at their shoes, they saw the material sparking into flames around their feet, and quickly got away ahead of a series of explosions," CBS Los Angeles reported. 

Fire Capt. Mike Lindbery described the volatility of the chemical. 

"We don't know what it is," he said to the Times. "It's bizarre." 

“We had acids burning, we had wood, we had everything in the area, rubber on tires and boots burning,” Lindberry said to CBS. “The big concern was the fact that if we were to have a large explosion we don’t want people in that area.”