Chemical Fire Prompts Evacuation
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GARDEN GROVE — Nearly 200 employees at about five businesses were evacuated and several streets closed Tuesday when a drum of chemicals overheated, causing smoke to billow from a small fire, authorities said.
Authorities later determined that the smoke was not toxic and allowed employees to return to work after four hours.
About 3:30 p.m., firefighters were summoned to the fire at Morton International in the 7300 block of Anaconda Avenue and discovered that the smoke might contain magnesium dioxide, which can cause breathing problems, a Garden Grove fire spokesman said.
The fire, which was restricted to a small area by a sprinkler system, was controlled by 24 firefighters within minutes, authorities said.
No injuries were reported, Fire Department spokesman Gary Gionet said.
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