Video: Crews Cleaning Up after Biofuels Plant Fire

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UNION COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Things are starting to get back to normal at the JNS Biofuels Plant after Wednesday’s explosions.

The fire was put out late Thursday night, and Highway 15 has since reopened.

Even though roads and schools may be back open, rescue crews say there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done.

“I’m ready to go home,” said Curt Clayton, Union County EMA Director.

It’s been a long week for rescue crews, and the clean-up is just beginning after a fire that burned since Wednesday destroyed the biofuels plant.

“It took 20,000 gallons of water and about 100 gallons of foam just to put out what little bit of fire was left [Thursday] night,” Clayton said.

The cold temperatures have made it even more difficult on workers cleaning up.

American Red Cross volunteers say they’re doing what they can to keep rescue crews warm.

“We brought an emergency response vehicle over to some of the firefighters to provide hot cocoa, coffee, again some snacks, some supper, and just the smiles on their faces, it really touches your heart,” said Bill Simmons, American Red Cross.

Crews are also working on power lines damaged from the explosions.

Rescue officials told WCBI clean-up efforts could take at least a week.

“It’ll be monitored for quite some time to make sure residue is off the ground,” Clayton said.

And Red Cross volunteers say they’ll continue to provide food for busy clean-up workers.

“We have volunteers on standby throughout the weekend until this kind’ve concludes,” Simmons said.

The cause of the fires is still under investigation.