Chesco chem. plant fire controlled

It took three fire companies and a couple of hours to bring a hydrogen trailer fire under control at a Chester County chemical company, police said.

Residents evacuated from nearby homes, however, were not immediately allowed to return while fire officials evaluated the scene.

The fire at the Johnson Matthey Co. plant in West Whiteland Township, was reported at 10:31 a.m., said Patty Mains, a spokeswoman for the county's Department of Emergency Services.

West Whiteland Township Sgt. Martin Malloy said a supply line at the plant was damaged yesterday by a truck and was being repaired when the blaze, believed to be accidental, erupted.

A repairman was taken to Crozer Chester Medical Center for burns, said Malloy. His condition was not known.

Malloy said trucks bring what is termed a "12-pack," tubes of hydrogen on a trailer, to the plant and then return to get the trailer when the hydrogen has been used.

Mains said workers at the plant in the 1400 block of King Road were evacuated as well as about a dozen residences on Glen Loch Way. King Road was closed between Ravine Road and Phoenixville Pike, she said.

The Red Cross has set up a reception center at the East Whiteland Volunteer Fire Association at 170 Planebrook Road in Frazer for evacuated residents or those who cannot make it home.

Malloy said firefighters' primary concern was dousing adjacent tubes of hydrogen with water so the fire would not spread. He said the fumes were not toxic.