Fire departments across New Castle County responded to a Newport commercial structure fire, where responding crews were hospitalized a decade ago Tuesday evening.
Crews responded at 6:40 p.m. to the 300 block of Water Street for a reported fire. Chief Joseph Dierolf of Minquas Fire Company said a separating chemical tank blew its top off and caught fire. Dierolf asked employees before sending in the crews if there were any chemicals he should be aware of, because of the buildings previous fire more than 10 years ago. A handful firefighters headed into the building, only to head to the hospital, feeling sick from chemical exposure last time they responded to Water Street.
The employees told firefighters they can use water, without worry that it will react to the chemicals, Dierolf said.
Emergency lights flashed on Newport’s industrial park and commands flowed over the scanner as more than 50 firefighters from seven companies attacked the fire.