A small chemical spill at the FAR Research plant in Palm Bay on June 23 prompted evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for about 40 residents within a half-mile radius. The incident occurred near Wihelmina Court in the city’s northeast section, according to Palm Bay police. No injuries were reported, and officials said the spill was contained within hours. This is the third incident at the plant since 2020, following a 2025 bromine leak and a 2020 explosion.
The spill was reported by a plant employee at about 4 p.m. Tuesday. Assistant Fire Chief John Ringleb said the incident involved a "small amount of vapor" rather than a free-flowing liquid. "There was a leak, a bit of an off gas situation but there was no rupture," Ringleb said. Fire and police crews responded to the site off Robert J. Conlan Boulevard. Authorities issued a reverse 9-1-1 call to nearby residents, many of whom live in newly built apartment complexes and duplexes near the plant.
The spill was contained by safety measures, and evacuation orders were lifted by late evening. Ringleb said the chemical involved was not immediately identified but posed no immediate threat beyond the initial vapor release. Palm Bay Fire Rescue units and police were dispatched to the scene, and no explosion was reported. The plant has faced scrutiny since the 2020 incident, which led to a temporary shutdown and federal investigations.
Residents in the affected area were either evacuated or told to remain indoors as a precaution. The incident has raised concerns among local officials and neighbors, particularly given the plant’s history. "We’ve had enough," said one resident who lives near the plant. "It’s time for stricter oversight." The Florida Fire Marshall’s office is reviewing the incident, and FAR Research has not yet commented publicly.