Update: Fire and company officials have confirmed that the tank that exploded was actually one belonging Midwest Industrial Asphalt, not Midwest Industrial Fuels. Read more here.
La Crosse firefighters have contained a chemical fire on the city’s north side that broke out after a chemical explosion on Wednesday morning.
The blast shook much of La Crosse shortly before 7 a.m., after an asphalt and diesel blend exploded at Midwest Fuels. Firefighters arrived on the scene to fight back flames and thick, black smoke that emerged from a silo at the site of the blast.
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La Crosse Fire Chief Gregg Cleveland said that it could have been a lot worse, but responders acted quickly to stay one step ahead of the fire. He said that the public and the nearby Black River are no longer at risk of contamination.
“We’re working with Midwest Fuels,” said Cleveland. “They’re going to be putting out some absorbent and also some diking material — pads, pillows — to soak up any potential runoff from our water.”
Chief Gregg Cleveland said they’re now investigating the cause of the explosion.
Residents within a 10-block radius received phone calls and text messages telling them to stay in their homes after the explosion, but the order was eventually canceled. Cleveland said it’s been many years since they issued a similar warning. He said they did so on Wednesday because of the chemicals involved in the fire.
One Midwest Fuels employee was injured because of the incident, but has been treated and released from the hospital.
Editor’s Note : This story was updated with new information at 4:50 p.m.
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