NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
July 2, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION, IRAQI FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE BLAZE TOGETHER
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi and Coalition firefighters, along with engineers from the 101st Airborne Division, battled to control a fire at the Misraq State Sulfur Plant, 20 miles south of Mosul.
The firefighters doused flames and cooled the ground enough to allow the engineer to drive dump trucks and bulldozers close to fire, in an attempt to extinguish the flames with tons of dirt.
U. S. Army Col. Benjamin Hodges, commander of the division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, said he estimated the fire will consume the remaining sulfur and burn itself out in a few days.
The toxic smoke affected the cities of Qayyarah, Al Shurah and Makhmur, along with approximately 25 surrounding villages, according to an Iraqi cultural adviser.
Soldiers evacuated civilians in the vicinity of the fire, as well as areas downwind from the fumes. A shelter was established in Qayyarah for displaced individuals.
According to division medical personnel, the sulfuric smoke is a danger to all people, especially to the elderly, asthmatic and young children. The smoke has caused two deaths; an elderly woman and a small child. Many others have shown similar symptoms and were treated by brigade medical personnel.
A thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Damages and clean-up costs have yet to be determined.
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