Workers, homes evacuated after chemical reaction at Smithfield Plant

TAR HEEL, NC (WWAY) — Several employees were taken to the hospital after a chemical reaction forced evacuations at the Smithfield Packing Plant in Tar Heel early Monday.

A Bladen County Emergency Services spokesman Bradley Kinlaw said the reaction happened between sodium hypochlorite and acid during a cleaning process at around 3:30 a.m.

Kinlaw said the chemical was contained inside the building. All employees were evacuated, along with several nearby homes as a precaution.

He said 7 employees were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries.

Emergency crews worked to ventilate the building before employees were allowed back inside around 8:15 a.m.