Chapman Chemical Fire Prompts Tyler Evacuations

**Massive Chemical Plant Fire Forces Evacuations in Tyler**

**TYLER, Texas –** A significant industrial fire at the Chapman Chemical Co. facility on Thursday, April 18, 2024, triggered mandatory evacuations and a shelter-in-place order for residents near Smith County Road 1151. The blaze, located at 15949 Smith County Road 1151, near Highway 64 West in Tyler, erupted sometime before 9:30 AM.

Authorities swiftly responded to the incident, issuing a mandatory evacuation order for homes within a half-mile radius of the facility. Additionally, a shelter-in-place directive was implemented for individuals residing within a one-mile radius. Smith County Road 1151 was completely shut down to traffic as emergency crews worked to control the fire.

A colossal plume of smoke was visible for miles across Tyler and surrounding East Texas communities throughout the morning. Multiple fire departments, including Tyler Fire, Chapel Hill, Whitehouse, Noonday, and Chandler, responded to the scene. The Smith County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and a specialized HazMat team were also on site. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were en route to assist with environmental assessment and monitoring.

The fire was brought under containment around 12:45 PM, but officials anticipate it could continue to burn for hours, possibly days, due to the specific chemicals involved. Constant air quality monitoring is underway in the affected areas. Initial readings did not indicate immediate danger, but authorities emphasized that evacuation and shelter-in-place protocols remain crucial precautions.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Residents are advised to stay away from the affected area and monitor local news outlets for updates.