Major response to fire at chemical research center

Firefighters from across the region, along with a regional hazardous materials team, responded to a fire at a Dow Chemical plant in Bristol Township Friday morning.

The incident occurred at the Dow Research and Development facility on George Patterson Boulevard shortly after 10 a.m.

Dow Chemical firefighters were first called to the scene to battle a fire at an industrial furnace, Croydon Fire Company Chief Tom Tryon said. Other fire departments in the area responded quickly to help just after 10:20 a.m.

Tryon explained that the fire started in a furnace used to keep materials warm and spread partly outside of it.

The fire was largely contained to the oven, but extra caution was needed because of the presence of other chemicals nearby, the chief said.

Due to the potential risk, Tryon upgraded the call at 10:55 a.m., prompting a larger response from multiple fire departments.

According to Tryon, the fire was extinguished by 4:30 p.m. and there was no longer any danger to the public.

Kevin Dippolito, Bristol Township emergency management coordinator and fire chief, confirmed the situation was stable late in the afternoon.

Two Dow Chemical employees were assessed at the scene, but no serious injuries were reported.

In a statement to 6abc, Dow Chemical assured the public that there were no impacts off-site and confirmed that all employees were present.

The company stated that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Tryon said organic peroxide was involved, but it is unclear whether the fire was caused by a chemical reaction.

Firefighters, including those from Dow Chemical and the Bucks County Special Operations Team, remained on scene until late afternoon.

According to workers at the construction site, employees from other buildings on George Patterson Boulevard were evacuated and many of them were sent home for the rest of the day.

The response consisted of units from the Dow Chemical Fire Department, Croydon Fire Company, Bristol Township Fire Rescue, Edgely Fire Company, Newportville Fire Company, Newport Fire Company, Levittown Fire Company No. 2, Third District Fire Company, Bristol Fire Company, Bristol Consolidated Fire Company, Goodwill Hose Company, America Hose, Hook and Ladder Company, Union Fire Company, Cornwells Fire Company, Tullytown Fire Company, Penndel Fire Company and Burlington (New Jersey) Fire Dept. Bucks County and Levittown-Fairless Hills rescue teams and Bristol Township police responded to the scene.

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