Chlorine Cloud Dissipates After Spilling at South Charleston Solenis Plant
Downtown South Charleston was placed under a shelter-in-place order for about an hour Wednesday afternoon after a chlorine cloud formed at the Solenis Plant along MacCorkle Avenue, WV MetroNews reported.
The hazardous cloud emerged from the decomposition of chlorine powder at the industrial facility, according to South Charleston Fire Chief Virgil White.
“That’s nothing to play around with because it is highly dangerous if you breathe it in. Quick notification is the key,” White told MetroNews.
Shelter-in-Place and Plant Evacuation Details
The emergency protocols began at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday and were lifted a few minutes before 3 p.m. after wind helped dissipate the chemical cloud. Local fire crews and facility managers confirmed that conditions had returned to normal levels both inside the plant and across neighboring areas before clearing the advisory.
Chief White reported zero injuries during the incident, confirming that all facility personnel safely evacuated and were fully accounted for. Emergency responders conducted thorough checks on local businesses situated within the industrial property to ensure workers complied with the safety directives.
The Solenis facility, formerly known as the Clearon plant, manufactures chlorinated dry bleach compounds utilized for water treatment in pools, spas, and other sanitation applications. Local emergency services maintain deep familiarity with the site due to its ongoing operations and historical presence in the community.
“We run enough calls here over the years that we know what to expect and how to handle the situation,” White stated regarding the department’s operational readiness.
