Santa Paula explosion - A vacuum truck filled with chemical has exploded in Santa Paula, CA, on Tuesday morning. Five people - including three firefighters - have reportedly been hospitalized following the explosion.
The Santa Paula explosion is reported to have released organic peroxide into the atmosphere after the vacuum truck blew up around 8:00 a.m. on 815 Mission Rock Road. But the chemical content of the truck has not been officially confirmed.
The Ventura County Fire Department says the Santa Paula explosion caused the chemical content of the truck to shoot out about 300 feet. The explosion also caused flare ups, which fire officials are trying to contain.
About 1,000 gallons of the chemical is believed to have been spilt since the Santa Paula explosion occurred this morning.
Authorities have ordered all schools, businesses and farms with a mile of the Santa Paula explosion to evacuate the area. Reports indicate that the civilian risk from the chemical spill and explosion is very high. Firefighters are said to have retreated after discovering that their shoes caused more explosions because they were walking on dry chemical.
Sources say all lanes of Highway 126 between Peck and Wells roads were closed by authorities due to the Santa Paula explosion.
Officials have advised everybody within at least a three miles radius of the site of the Santa Paula explosion to find shelter and remain there. Visitors and workers at the Todd Toad Jail were reportedly directed to a shelter.
The American Red Cross Ventura County Chapter has opened an evacuation center at the Santa Paula Community Center on 530 W. Main Street. Red Cross officials say volunteers are working with them in the evacuation center, which can also be used as an overnight shelter if the situation requires it.
Reports indicate that after the Santa Paula explosion, the occupants of the truck, whose identities have not been released, were taken to the Ventura County Medical Center. At least one man, who had also been exposed to the chemical spill, drove himself to the hospital for treatment.
The cause of the Santa Paula explosion is still under investigation. Firefighters and other officials at the scene were spotted with hazmat suits, three engines and an ambulance as they were working to bring the situation under control.
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