Chemical Plant Fire Controlled

A potentially hazardous fire at an abandoned chemical plant prompted authorities to evacuate a 1/4-square-mile area as Kern County firefighters smothered the blaze.

Firefighters encountered large quantities of cyanide, flammable chemicals, mercury and oxidizers and were acting with caution, dispatcher Denise Avalos said. “They’re treating it as a hazardous materials situation,” she said.

An unknown number of residents were evacuated from houses, apartments, a trailer park and a motel, she said.

The fire was brought under control in about two hours, she said.

The chemical plant had been closed and was in the process of being cleaned up, Avalos said.