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Cause Of ‘Major’ Fire At Ascend Remains Under Investigation
December 23, 2024
A large column of thick, dark smoke could be seen for miles Sunday evening from when what was described by local officials as a “major” fire broke out at Ascend Performance Materials in Gonzalez, according to local officials.
Multiple Escambia County Fire Rescue units responded to the plant on Old Chemstrand Road to assist Ascend’s staff firefighters, according to Davis Wood, Escambia County Fire Rescue public information office
Wood said no evacuations were ordered, and there was no immediate danger to surrounding neighborhoods.
“A fire was reported in one of our operating units,” Osama Khalifa, director of corporate communications and government affairs told NorthEsambia.com Sunday evening. “Our on-site fire department responded to the scene. Additionally, we called the Escambia County Fire Rescue for assistance responding. The fire was contained and no injuries were reported. All Ascend personnel have been safely accounted for.”
Khalifa said there was no immediate threat to the nearby community. He said the company was still working to determine the cause of the fire.
Additional information obtained by NorthEscambia.com indicated that the fire was in a multi-story building. After the fire was declared to be out, ECFR cews have remained on scene for follow-up and clean-up operations.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Cause Of ‘Major’ Fire At Ascend Remains Under Investigation”
Look on the bright side; it/this is not a plant in China that is producing/employing, but a local employer, in our county.
The wheels are turnng, bucks flowing downhill. Expect an indept safety review by several agenceys. Corrections, adjustments
A report on this incident will be required under the Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act. It should be submitted by Ascend to the State Emergence Response Commission (SERC) at the Division of Emergency Management in Tallahassee. Additionally, the report should be submitted to the District 1 Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) based at the Emerald Coast Regional Council in Pensacola.
The LEPC meets quarterly. Residents want g to inquire about the response and decisions made by local emergency response with regard to shelter in place or evacuation should write to or at attend the quarterly LEPC meeting.
You DO have a right to know.
Those of us Who live in that area should have been notified immediately. That way, we could choose if we wanted to leave. Or not. I certainly do not trust their transparity.. .. or Want.
To wait for their decision if I need to leave.
Glad I am no longer out at that tinder-box
It was a very close call and we all got lucky to get out of it without a major disaster.
Just about all my family works in this industry you will always have some unexpected I’m just thankful nobody was hurt ..
There transparency is very much not trusting. The last fire they said was steam off fans and it burnt up quite a bit.
Should have notified the neighbors. My decision if I feel threatened….Shame on them. I certainly don’t feel confident in there transparency in case of an emergency.