The Nation : 10,000 Flee Toxic Cloud

Fire ignited toxic chemicals in an agricultural warehouse in Minot, N.D., spewing an acrid black cloud that injured at least 37 people and forced an estimated 10,000 to flee their homes. Winds blew the cloud over the middle of the city of 32,800 and across the Canadian border, 50 miles to the north. The Westchem Agricultural Chemicals Inc. warehouse contained the pesticides parathion and malathion, and other farm chemicals, officials said. Residents in the path of the cloud were advised to head toward small towns east and west of Minot and to a state Highway Department building on the eastern edge of the city, police said. About half returned in the evening. The fire was finally controlled by dousing it with foam.