Three dead, hundreds evacuated after chemical plant fire

A train carriage exploded and sparked off a fire yesterday at a Michigan chemical factory, killing three employees and injuring at least nine.

Hundreds of homes were evacuated after the explosion at the Atofina Chemicals plant.

The victims were employees Edwin J Wrobleski, 47, Kenneth J Cox, 56, and Terry Stein, 41, authorities said.

Two injured factory workers were treated at Riverview Hospital for respiratory problems from inhaling fumes, said spokeswoman Jackie Swearingten. One was released.

Seven were in stable condition and were being treated for exposure to fumes at the Oakwood Health Care System, said spokesman Ken Bearden.

The railcar containing a dangerous chemical exploded at the factory yesterday morning and the fire was brought under control later in the day.

Hazardous material specialists were en route from Texas to clean up the chemicals.

About 400 homes were evacuated in Grosse Ile, an island across the Detroit River from this suburban community. Another 40 homes were evacuated near the factory, but the area is mostly industrial, said Riverview fire captain Ken Williamson.

The burning chemical was methyl mercaptan, or methanethiol, a flammable substance used in pharmaceutical and agricultural products.

"It’s extremely dangerous if inhaled directly,’’ said Grosse Ile Township Clerk Ute O’Connor, describing the chemical’s smell as like ‘‘really bad body odour.’’

Canadian authorities closed part of the Detroit River to boaters because of the fire, reopening the waterway in the early evening.

Atofina, headquartered in Philadelphia, has 4,000 employees in 20 plants in North America and 16 others worldwide. The Riverview plant is the company’s oldest, opened in 1898. It has 212 workers, said company spokeswoman Connie Wickersham.

Atofina is owned by owned by TotalFina Elf of Paris.