United States (Wisconsin) - Several fire departments from across the Chippewa Valley responded to an explosion and fire of two chemical tanks at about 9:50 p.m. Tuesday at WRR Environmental Services, 5200 Ryder Road, off Highway 93 about one-quarter mile south of the interchange with Interstate 94 in the town of Washington. All employees were accounted for and there were no injuries to firefighters, said Mark Briski, Township Fire Department spokesman. The blaze was extinguished by 10:45 p.m., and fire crews were leaving the scene shortly after midnight.

Officials have not yet determined the cause, Briski said.

A chemical assessment team from the city of Eau Claire was on the scene late Tuesday to inspect the tanks and ensure the location was safe.

Fire crews from across Eau Claire and Chippewa counties responded. A total of 24 tender trucks were called to the scene.

Briski said the type of fire required a large amount of water to be present, which is why fire crews from as far away as Cadott and Rice Lake were called.

A foam initially was applied to the blaze before water was used.

Briski said firefighters applied lessons learned from a June 2007 fire at the plant as they responded to Tuesday's blaze. A boiler explosion at the plant three years ago triggered an explosive blaze that shot fireballs hundreds of feet into the sky and caused evacuations within a half-mile radius.

"We kind of learned from the fire three years ago that we needed water right away," he said.

Briski credited the quick response Tuesday from multiple departments for extinguishing the blaze within an hour.

Highway 93 was closed to traffic south from Golf Road during the fire, including the ramps on and off Interstate 94, but no evacuations were ordered. The highway was reopened at about 12:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Teri Miller, who lives about a mile away from the plant on Gunnes Road, said she felt the explosion shake her house.

WRR, a waste reclamation company recycles, solvents that can be reused for industrial purposes.

According to the company's website, WRR manages both hazardous and nonhazardous waste, with solvent recycling, fuel blending, wastewater treatment and household hazardous waste collections.

Written by Leader-Telegram