The Nation - News from July 5, 1988

Hundreds of residents from two New York towns were evacuated as toxic chemicals spewed from a plant fire, which firefighters brought under control. The blaze, which followed an explosion, at Polymer Applications Co. burned out of control late Sunday night because firefighters feared more explosions of the chemical tanks that surround the company, police said. Firefighters resumed their efforts after flames that shot 100 feet into the air died down. Meanwhile, 300 residents of the Buffalo suburbs of Tonawanda and Grand Island were evacuated.