Oct 22, 2016 News Hour Correspondent -

Chemical spill in Atchison, Kansas, spurs evacuations

News Hour:

The town says two chemicals were inadvertently mixed together causing a reaction at MGP Ingredients Inc. Authorities say the spill has been mitigated and no serious injuries have been reported. At least 34 have been hospitalized with respiratory issues.

Couldn’t figure out if it was fog or the chemical cloud #Atchison #mgpexplosion pic.twitter.com/MPUOYyqmYn

— Megan Laflin (@Meglaflin) October 21, 2016

“We don’t think there’s any kind of threat at this time and we’re in the process of issuing an all-clear,” City Manager Trey Cocking told reporters.

Authorities haven’t released details about what kind of chemical leaked, but they’ve said residents who’d been advised to take shelter inside can now leave their homes.

The spill occurred during a delivery at a plant just after 8 a.m. (9 a.m. ET), when two chemicals were inadvertently mixed together, sending a gaseous plume into the air, Cocking said.