NATION : 1,000 Flee Cloud of Acid Fumes
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MUSKEGON, Mich. — accident at a chemical factory sent a cloud of hydrochloric acid fumes drifting over two trailer parks, causing evacuation of about 1,000 people for four hours and injuring at least 46, authorities said today.
The residents were evacuated about 11:30 p.m. Sunday and were allowed to return home about 3:30 a.m. today, said Fire Chief Dion LeMieux.
A mechanical malfunction at the Lomac Inc. chemical plant caused phosphorus oxychloride to come in contact with limestone, which produced a violent chemical reaction and released a cloud of the highly toxic acid fumes, LeMieux said.
At least 46 people, including four firefighters, were treated at three hospitals for exposure to the fumes and released.
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