Wahpeton, ND- A chemical fire in Wahpeton forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the surrounding area as fire fighters quickly tried to contain the fire and hazardous materials.

About 40 blocks of southern Wahpeton were evacuated as a precaution, as a thick path of toxic smoke bellowed out of the Industrial Plating Corp at 501 6th Avenue South.

The plant uses hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and zinc to to chemically zinc-plate materials. Officials tested and confirmed that the chemicals had been diluted enough to not pose a risk to wildlife or the health of area residents. Residents were allowed back in there homes, but were asked to stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut as a temporary precaution.

The fire was reported by a Wahpeton police officer who spotted smoke about 2:30 AM near the municipal airport and trailed it back to the plant. The plant was not occupied when the fire started and a cause is not immediately known.

An electrical fire was reported several weeks ago acording to Second Assistant Fire Chief Don Klovstad.

Firefighters from Wahpeton, Dwight, ND and Breckenridge, MN were called to the seen. Several firefighters were required to first go through a decontamination procedure before visiting the local hospital after they had fell into the contaminated water. A Dwight firefighter recieved minor chemical burns to his feet, but was treated and back to the scene shortly thereafter.

The state’s fire marshal’s office will investigate the fire.