PASCO, Wash. - 12:45 p.m. - Fire crews said they are still venting gas from the tanks and roads in the area remain closed. If you are in the area, please remain inside.Â
11:47 a.m. - The Pasco Fire Department is working with employees of Oxarc Inc. to shut off the gas tanks so fire crews can make entry into the acetylene room and put out the fire. Â
11:30 a.m. - The City of Pasco Fire Department is asking those in the area near Lewis Street to A street to stay inside because of the vapor clouds that are venting off.
According to Community Risk Reduction Specialist Ben Shearer, there was an error in an acetylene room which is assumed to have started the blaze. Oxarc "had an issue" that started the fire in the acetylene tanks and manufacturing process.Â
Pasco Fire made a video explaining the situation below:
11:10 a.m. - According to Ben Shearer, the chance for an explosion is still high, roads are closed and there's still an active fire in the acetylene system. Gas is being released from the tanks.Â
Neighboring businesses have been told to shelter in place.
10:45 a.m. - According to officials at the scene, the fire is under control at this time, however, the risk for explosion is still high. Please stay away from the area. Dark smoke is still visible, according to KAPP KVEW's Rylee Fitzgerald, who is at the scene.
#BREAKING On the scene of a fire at or near a gas station on Oregon Ave. and A St. in Pasco. Limited information right now—working to get more. I hear it is mostly knocked down. We also heard reports of a possible explosion. Waiting to hear more about it. @KAPPKVEWpic.twitter.com/Pi9pahcwZW
