PLAINWELL, Mich. — Drug & Laboratory Disposal Inc., the Plainwell business that was the location of a chemical fire Monday afternoon, was issued a fine by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 for failing to comply with storage time limits, container labeling and dating rules.
The company, located at 331 Broad St., agreed to pay a penalty of $41,300 in March of 2010 to settle the violations, according to a a press release from the EPA.
According to witnesses at the scene, three or four explosions went off inside the building and produced a “chemical smell” and large plumes of smoke at the Plainwell Industrial Park. Everyone within a quarter of a mile north and east of the plant was asked to evacuate to Plainwell High School until Allegan County Sheriffs and HazMat officials can determine the exact chemicals that were released from the plant.
