SANTA PAULA, Calif., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Dozens were sent to local hospitals Tuesday morning after chemicals in a vacuum truck exploded in Santa Paula, Calif.
The chemical spontaneously combusted around 8 a.m. as it was being loaded onto a vacuum truck.
The truck's occupant was taken to the hospital along with three firefighters whose shoes caused explosions from walking on the dry chemical. More than a dozen in total were hospitalized for varying injuries.
Buildings within a mile, including an elementary school, were evacuated and every building within 3 miles was given a shelter in place order.
"Obviously we've had a terrible accident and I don't know the reason for it yet but I do know we will respond to it appropriately," said Doug Edwards, chairman of the board for the Santa Clara Waste Water Company.
