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Several hospitalized after chemical leak causes evacuations at agricultural facility in Belle Glade

Several hospitalized after chemical leak causes evacuations at agricultural facility in Belle Glade
SEE YOU JUST A FEW MINUTES, TAYLOR. CHRIS, LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. THANK YOU. PAUL BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE SAYS A COMMUNITY IS SAFE THIS AFTERNOON FOLLOWING A CHEMICAL LEAK AT THE BELLE GLADE AGRICULTURAL FACILITY. IT BEGAN ABOUT 8:00 IN THE MORNING AT THE PIONEER GROWERS PLANT THAT’S OFF NORTHWEST AVENUE L. I SENT SEVERAL PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL AND CAUSED EVACUATIONS, AND THAT’S WHERE WE FIND OUR STEVE KING RIGHT NOW WITH THE LATEST ON THIS CHEMICAL LEAK. STEVE, PALM BEACH COUNTY FIRE RESCUE SAYS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOLLOWING THE GAS LEAK HERE AT PIONEER GROWERS ARE ALL EXPECTED TO SURVIVE. BUT THE EXACT EXTENT OF THEIR INJURIES IS UNKNOWN. FIRE RESCUE SAYS THIS ALL STARTED AT ABOUT EIGHT THIS MORNING WHEN CHLORINE DIOXIDE BEGAN LEAKING FROM THE COOLING AREA OF THE PIONEER GROWERS PLANT FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. A VIEWER SENT US THESE PHOTOS OF THE GIANT PLUME OF GAS OVER THE ROADWAY AS SOME NEARBY BUSINESSES WERE EVACUATED AND AREA SCHOOLS WERE PLACED ON LOCKDOWN. RESCUE OFFICIALS ALSO SET UP A TRIAGE BEHIND THE PLANT, AND THAT’S WHERE 21 PEOPLE ON SITE ASKED TO BE EVALUATED BY PARAMEDICS. NINE OF THOSE PEOPLE BEING TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. LATER IN THE MORNING, EMERGENCY CREWS DETERMINED THE AIR AROUND THE AGRICULTURE FACILITY WAS SAFE AND ALL EVACUATION AND LOCKDOWNS WERE LIFTED. AS OF NOW, COUNTY WORKERS AND OTHER STAFF ARE STILL ON SCENE TRYING TO FIX WHATEVER CAUSED THE LEAK. IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT THE GAS HAS BEEN SHUT OFF AND AUTHORITIES SAY THERE IS NO FURTHER THREAT TO THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO PIONEER GROWERS FOR A COMMENT, BUT SO FAR WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. REPORTING IN BELLE GLADE STEVE KING, WPBF 25 NEWS. ALL RIGHT, STEVE, THANK YOU. THOSE WITH OUR WPBF 25 NEWS APP WERE THE FIRST TO LEARN ABOUT THIS LEAK. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THIS DOWNLOADED. AND TURN ON THOSE PUSH
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Several hospitalized after chemical leak causes evacuations at agricultural facility in Belle Glade
Neighborhoods are no longer being evacuated and schools are no longer on lockdown after Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to a major chemical leak at an agricultural facility Wednesday morning in Belle Glade. Deep Dive: WPBF 25 News InvestigatesIt happened around 8 a.m. in the 200 block of NW Avenue L at the Pioneer Growers facility, where a large plume of gas could be seen. PBFR officials confirm the leak came from machinery on site. The gas in question was chlorine dioxide that was being used as a water purifying agent.Video below: Officials provide update after major chemical leak in Belle GladeAs a precautionary measure, Belle Glade Elementary School, Glades Day School and Lake Shore Middle School were placed on lockdown during the investigation. Teachers and students are safe and have resumed normal activities. Nine people, some who complained of mild discomfort, were taken to a local hospital. A staging area is available for those who want to be evaluated. The chlorine dioxide leak has been contained and officials do not have any concerns for the general public at this time. State officials tell WPBF 25 News there was no impact to local waterways or storm drains due to the gas leak.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25 This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.

Neighborhoods are no longer being evacuated and schools are no longer on lockdown after Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to a major chemical leak at an agricultural facility Wednesday morning in Belle Glade.

Deep Dive: WPBF 25 News Investigates

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It happened around 8 a.m. in the 200 block of NW Avenue L at the Pioneer Growers facility, where a large plume of gas could be seen.

PBFR officials confirm the leak came from machinery on site. The gas in question was chlorine dioxide that was being used as a water purifying agent.

Video below: Officials provide update after major chemical leak in Belle Glade

As a precautionary measure, Belle Glade Elementary School, Glades Day School and Lake Shore Middle School were placed on lockdown during the investigation.

Teachers and students are safe and have resumed normal activities.

Nine people, some who complained of mild discomfort, were taken to a local hospital. A staging area is available for those who want to be evaluated.

The chlorine dioxide leak has been contained and officials do not have any concerns for the general public at this time.

State officials tell WPBF 25 News there was no impact to local waterways or storm drains due to the gas leak.

Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25

This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.