West Virginia

1 Dead, 3 Others Hurt in West Virginia Chemical Facility Explosion

The explosion at a chemical facility in Belle erupted just after 10 p.m. Tuesday and prompted a warning to shelter-in-place for two miles around it

A screenshot from drone footage of the chemical plant in Belle, West Virginia, on Dec. 8, 2020.
Aaron Spencer

A West Virginia chemical facility erupted into flames after an explosion Tuesday night, killing one person and leading to a 2-mile shelter in place order for area residents before the fire was under control and the order was lifted, officials said.

Four people in all were hurt in the blast, which happened just after 10 p.m. at Optima Chemicals — a tenant on the site of the Chemours plant in Belle, officials said.

John Gillenwater was killed in the explosion. His family is "devastated over the loss of their husband, father and friend," according to NBC affiliate WSAZ of Huntington. "John was beloved by many in his community and his church," the told the station

Among the injured was another plant worker and someone who was hit by debris.

Read the full story on NBCNews.com

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