Mississippi Chemical Plant Explosion Linked to Herbicide Fire

Residents near a Greenville, Mississippi chemical plant were asked to stay indoors after part of the plant exploded, likely from a herbicide chemical that was produced at the facility.

The Associated Press and local news outlets reported that the plant was previously part of Platte Chemical and is now operated by Colorado-based Loveland Products, a subsidiary of Nutrien. The explosion happened early Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, sending black smoke into the air. Greenville has a population of about 26,000.

No injuries have been reported. The shelter-in-place notice was lifted by noon Wednesday, Nov. 4 as smoke dissipated, AP reported. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality said it was monitoring air quality in the area.

Photo: The scene in Greenville after the blast. (Sara Moreland Hester via AP) Photo taken with smartphone.