BARTLETT, Texas — Emergency crews remain on the scene of a fertilizer plant fire in Bartlett, Texas.
Williamson County authorities confirmed a large fire at the American Plant Food Corporation off State Highway 95 started at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Around 9:40 p.m., the City of Bartlett said evacuations were not expected and the fire was contained.
"Bartlett Fire is on scene along with various other entities and their hazmat units due to chemical spills," the city said. "The Emergency Command has stated that it is all under control, but an active fire nonetheless. The fire is not expected to spread, nor there to be a catastrophic explosions from the chemicals. They have determined the fire to be contained and will work on it all night."
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office said law enforcement and firefighters were on the scene. Residents in the area were asked to follow instructions provided in a reverse 911 message, according to the sheriff's office.
In an update Monday morning, Bartlett Mayor Chad Mees and Fire Chief Steven Wentrcek said that fire crews from Bartlett, Round Rock, Taylor, Granger, Holland and Little River, as well as personnel from the Williamson County, Bell County and Milam County sheriffs' offices and hazmat crews, worked through the night and into the morning to get the fire under control. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) are also on-site.
"This is the pure definition of mutual aid. For small towns, this is how we survive. Our neighboring communities, they jump in when it’s time and they help you out," Mees said.
Wentrcek said that when crews arrived on the scene Sunday night, the fire was fully involved. Crews chose not to apply any water to the fire to ensure that the runoff into surrounding creeks didn't contain any hazardous materials. Instead, they allowed the product to burn off.
A video taken by Kelly Carter posted to a Holland community Facebook page showed massive flames coming from the plant. Wentrcek said the building is a total loss.
He and Mees said that air quality tests were performed throughout the night and continue Monday morning. As of 8:30 a.m., the tests indicated that the air quality was fair and there was no immediate danger. Because of this, Barlett ISD students were allowed to go to school, though they must stay inside and will not have outside recess on Monday. Mees said the nearest school is about 2 miles from the plant.
Wentrcek also noted that the products in the plant did not contain ammonium nitrate, which was involved in the deadly West, Texas, explosion in 2013.
“Last night [Sunday], we were worried about making sure everybody was safe. Today [Monday], we're worried about making sure that we can put out any spot fires, put out any of the product that’s on fire and maintaining the safe environment," Wentrcek said.
Wentrcek said on Monday, crews will focus on getting anything smoldering put out. The overall cleanup of the area will take several weeks to a month. Wentrcek said the plant contained a lot of product, as it supported all of the farmers in the surrounding area. Mees said that just around two to five people worked at the plant.
"A very small employer, but a very important facility in the community," Mees said.
Around 2:45 p.m. Monday, the City of Bartlett said several hot spots had been popping up and starting small fires in the fields behind the plant. Various agencies were actively extinguishing these as they popped up.
Crews have an aerial view looking for hot spots as they start, the City said, but calls to City Hall bringing awareness to them are also appreciated. A ladder engine is dropping water on the plant to help extinguish the embers as winds start to pick up.
State Highway 95 was shut down Sunday night and reopened Monday morning. However, Wentrcek and Mees said they intended to close one lane of the highway to ensure easy access to the area for fire crews.
The City of Bartlett said food and water can be dropped off at City Hall for the firefighters at 140 W. Clark St.
No injuries or deaths have been reported as a result of this fire. The Williamson County Fire Marshal's Office is looking into the cause.
The public is asked to avoid the area and allow emergency crews to work.
KCEN contributed to this report.