Toxic Substance Involved : Nine Workers Treated After Chemical Fire

Nine people were treated for smoke inhalation as a result of a chemical fire Friday at Pacific Polymers Inc. in an industrial area of Garden Grove.

Units of the Garden Grove and Anaheim fire departments, as well as an Anaheim hazardous-materials unit, were called to 12271 Monarch St. to fight the fire, which authorities believe began in a mixing room. At least one toxic substance, toluene, was identified, according to Division Chief Ted Just of Garden Grove.

All nine of those treated at Midwood Community Hospital in Stanton and Humana Hospital Westminster and later released were employees of the firm. The cause of the fire, which did an estimated $15,000 in damage, is still under investigation, according to Battalion Chief Vince Bonacker of Garden Grove.

The fire began near a 1,500-gallon tank of toluene, a flamable liquid with many applications, including adhesive solvent for plastics. The colorless liquid is considered toxic when fumes are inhaled or when brought in direct contact with the skin. It is highly flammable and, in certain concentrations, explosive.

Bonacker credited fire control systems in the building and quick action on the part of employees with limiting the loss.

“The sprinkler system really held the damage down,” Bonacker said, adding that employees attacked the fire with hoses before firefighters arrived.

“The plant had a lot of different chemicals in it, so we were very concerned about the other chemicals being involved,” Bonacker said.

None of the surrounding buildings had to be evacuated, Bonacker said.