WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has deployed a team to investigate the event that occurred at approximately 10 p.m. EST at the Optima Chemical LLC facility in Belle, West Virginia.

There was one fatality and two injuries following an explosion and fire at the facility. According to information reported to the CSB a pressure vessel over-pressured, creating the fire. A shelter-in-place for the community within a 2-mile radius was ordered.

According to Optima Belle Chemical, a preliminary investigation indicates that a 1200-gallon metal dryer became over pressurized during a chemical product drying operation. The material in the dryer was a chlorinated compound used for sanitization. The Chemours Emergency Response Team and the City of Belle Fire Department were the first responders to the incident, with additional assistance from Kanawha County Emergency Management.

There were three chemical operators in the building at the time of the incident. Two were evaluated at a local hospital, treated for minor injuries, and released. The third operator suffered a fatality.

In their released statement:
Optima is cooperating fully with local, state, and federal officials on continuing investigation of this incident. A detailed and thorough analysis will be performed to determine the root cause. Our thoughts and prayers go out to our Belle employees, their families, and members of the surrounding community who have been affected.