Hill AFB Responds to Fire.

Shantel Schulz

POSTED 5:48 PM, JULY 25, 2016, BY ROBERT BOYD
UPDATED AT 03:43PM, JULY 26, 2016

CLEARFIELD, Utah — Flames shot 30 to 40 feet in the air on Main Street in Clearfield Monday as a vitamin supplement laboratory burnt to the ground.

The lab, Balchem Chemicals, is located on 101 N. Main Street. Those from Clearfield may know it better by its previous name, Albion Laboratories.

Giant clouds of smoke smothered Main Street and the surrounding blocks, as neighbors stood on every corner watching and wondering what happened.

"I was very scared, because with it so hot and as dry as it is and with everything going on you don't know if it's going to spread," said neighbor Melissa Hunter.

According to the North Davis Fire District, there were 12 employees inside at the time, all of them made it out safely. However, what remained inside was the biggest concern for firefighters.

"We had potential for explosions from a number of 55 gallon drums of ethanol that were stored in the back of the structure," said Mark Sessions of the North Davis Fire District.

A few minor explosions did take place, which was the last thing one local business owner wanted to hear considering she operates a gas stations next to the lab.

"I was just like stay on the other side of the building whatever you do, but I was really thankful that a Hill Air Force Base fire truck was in our parking lot because they were very good," said Cindy Percipal of Walt's Gas Station.

Most nearby businesses shut down for the day, as more than 1,900 lost power. People said they couldn't stand to be in the area anymore, many of them evacuating on their own.

"It smelt almost like burnt tires, like rubber tires, it is choking," said Karrie Barney.

Six firefighters were also taken to the hospital due to heat but all of them are expected to be OK.

"It puts a strain on these guys and gals, these people have been through a hellacious firefighting experience today and they came through wonderful," Sessions said.

North Davis Fire District is calling the lab a total loss, an estimated $5 million in damages. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Photo: Gephardt Daily/Nancy Van Valkenburg

Cliff Rescue Vigilant Guard 2016

A member of Bravo Squad, Massachusetts Task Force Search and Rescue Team, rescues a simulated casualty from a steep ledge during a simulated search and rescue exercise as part of Vigilant Guard 2016, Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., July 30, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national level emergency response exercise, sponsored by the National Guard and NORTHCOM, which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING SITE, VT, UNITED STATES
07.30.2016
Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes
172nd Public Affairs Detachment

From left, U.S. Army Spc. Alex Buckley, wheeled vehicle mechanic, 181st Engineer Battalion, Massachusetts National Guard, and Pfc. Geraldine Jimenez, truck driver, Forward Support Company, 101st Engineers, Massachusetts National Guard, work with civilian search and rescue teams to secure a simulated casualty during a search and rescue exercise as part of Vigilant Guard 2016, Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., July 30, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national level emergency response exercise, sponsored by the National Guard and NORTHCOM, which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

U.S. Army Pfc. Geraldine Jimenez, truck driver, Forward Support Company, 101st Engineers, Massachusetts National Guard, assists with securing a simulated casualty during a search and rescue exercise as part of Vigilant Guard 2016, Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., July 30, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national level emergency response exercise, sponsored by the National Guard and NORTHCOM, which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

From left, U.S. Army Spc. Alex Buckley, wheeled vehicle mechanic, 181st Engineer Battalion, Massachusetts National Guard, and Pfc. Geraldine Jimenez, truck driver, Forward Support Company, 101st Engineers, Massachusetts National Guard, work with civilian search and rescue teams to transport a simulated casualty during search and rescue training as part of Vigilant Guard 2016, Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., July 30, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national level emergency response exercise, sponsored by the National Guard and NORTHCOM, which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

Search and Rescue Vigilant Guard 2016

Multiple units from the Army and Air National guard work to clear through the rubble to rescue victims during a training scenario during Vigilant Guard 2016 at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., July 30, 2016. Vigilant Guard is a national level emergency response exercise, sponsored by the National Guard and NORTHCOM, which provides National Guard units an opportunity to improve cooperation and relationships with regional civilian, military, and federal partners in preparation for emergencies and catastrophic events. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

CAMP JOHNSON, VT, UNITED STATES
07.30.2016
Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman
158th Fighter Wing

 (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

 (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

 (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

 (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

 (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

 (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Airman Jonathon Alderman)

Damage Control Olympics

SILVERDALE, Wash. (July 22, 2016) - USS Nevada (SSBN 733) Sailors transport a casualty through a watertight hatch for the injured man relay event during the Naval Base Kitsap Damage Control Olympics, facilitated by Commander, Submarine Group Nine and its tenant commands. The competition is held at commands throughout the navy to test damage control, fire fighting and de-flooding, capabilities while builds companionship and moral among shipmates. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)

USS Seawolf (SSN 21) Sailors fire a hose into a hold to stimulate a self-contained breathing apparatus to fill a balloon with air until rupture for the nozzleman sniper event during the Naval Base Kitsap Damage Control Olympics, facilitated by Commander, Submarine Group Nine and its tenant commands. The competition is held at commands throughout the Navy to test damage control, fire fighting and de-flooding, capabilities while building camaraderie and morale among shipmates. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)

Machinist's Mate (Auxiliary) 1st Class Carl Karstetter (left), a Bremerton, Wash., native, and Machinist's Mate (Auxiliary) 2nd Class Mark Richardson (right), a Columbus, Ohio, native and both stationed aboard USS Seawolf (SSN 21), patch a pipe for the repair team (sink the Titanic) event during the Naval Base Kitsap Damage Control Olympics, facilitated by Commander, Submarine Group Nine and its tenant commands. The competition is held at commands throughout the Navy to test damage control, fire fighting and de-flooding, capabilities while building camaraderie and morale among shipmates. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)

USS Nevada (SSBN 733) Sailors transport a casualty through obstacles for the injured man relay event during the Naval Base Kitsap Damage Control Olympics, facilitated by Commander, Submarine Group Nine and its tenant commands. The competition is held at commands throughout the Navy to test damage control, fire fighting and de-flooding, capabilities while building camaraderie and morale among shipmates. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)

Missile Technician 3rd Class Malachi Lane, a Dillon, S.C. native stationed aboard USS Maine (SSBN 741), competes in the bucket brigade, simulation de-flooding aboard a submarine, during the Naval Base Kitsap Damage Control Olympics, facilitated by Commander, Submarine Group Nine and its tenant commands. The competition is held at commands throughout the Navy to test damage control, fire fighting and de-flooding, capabilities while building camaraderie and morale among shipmates. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)

USS Maine (SSBN 741) Sailors compete in the bucket brigade, simulating de-flooding aboard a submarine, during the Naval Base Kitsap Damage Control Olympics, facilitated by Commander, Submarine Group Nine and its tenant commands. The competition is held at commands throughout the Navy to test damage control, fire fighting and de-flooding, capabilities while building camaraderie and morale among shipmates. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)

Facilitators watch as USS Nevada (SSBN 733) compete in a tug-of-war, where each team pushes a blimp tied to a line to the other side with a hose, against USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730) during the Naval Base Kitsap Damage Control Olympics, facilitated by Commander, Submarine Group Nine and its tenant commands. The competition is held at commands throughout the Navy to test damage control, fire fighting and de-flooding, capabilities while building camaraderie and morale among shipmates. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Deployment

ARABIAN GULF (July 27, 2016) – Damage Controlman Fireman Dallas Perdue, from Wilmington, N.C., serializes self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) tanks in repair locker 7B aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Ike and its Carrier Strike Group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Murray/Released)

PERSIAN GULF

07.27.2016

Photo by Seaman Apprentice Joshua Murray 

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower