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A massive chemical fire broke out at a manufacturing facility in Mississippi on Monday, forcing employees to evacuate and drawing fire crews from across the county, according to local reports. The fire occurred at a Howard Industries facility in Laurel after a paint booth caught fire next to a tanker truck carrying an explosive substance, Mayor Johnny Magee told local media. All employees were evacuated, and fire departments across Jones County were called to the scene, according to WDAM-TV. Crews had mostly contained the fire by 8 p.m.
Video posted to social media showed flames burning at the facility as thick smoke filled the sky and fire trucks arrived. Several loud booms could be heard as people ran from the area and firefighters worked near the fire, according to WAPT-TV. "Everybody’s gotta leave," Brandon Herford Brewer, who posted one of the videos, could be heard saying. Brewer described the heat as unbearable as he prepared to leave the area. "My face is melting," he said. "It’s Howard industry, and I am about to get out of here. I am sweating down."
Brewer later said the building had been cleared and everyone had gotten out. Howard Industries makes electrical transformers, including the equipment utilities use to get electricity to homes and businesses. The company says its Laurel plant covers about 2.3 million square feet. Officials urged people to avoid the area, warning that traffic could slow firefighters and put workers and first responders at risk. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured or how much damage the fire caused.