By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
A chemical fire in Bristol, Pennsylvania led several residents to contact police Wednesday complaining about a sulfur odor in the air, according to officials.
In a press release Wednesday, police said that the odor reported by residents could be traced to a chemical fire overnight at a Dow Chemical facility in Pennsylvania.The odor was reported in several central and southern New Jersey communities, according to the company.
In a statement, the company said that two holding tanks at the Rohm and Hass Bristol Plant containing two different materials, ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate, were struck by lightning at 3:35 a.m. and ignited.
The chemicals involved are used in the manufacturing of paint, according to the company.
Emergency response units from the company that were on the site as well as several area fire companies were working to remove excess material from the damaged tanks.
According to the company, the chemicals produce an odor and exposure could cause “temporary irritant” effects.
The odor would continue as the materials are removed, according to the company.
Police said the odor is non-hazardous, but could last several hours.
Three first responders were injured during the fire and were treated at local hospitals, according to the company.
A fourth responder that was directing traffic at the site reportedly died later at his home, according to the company.

