A shelter-in-place order issued near the Far Chemical plant on Wilhelmina Court in Palm Bay was lifted Tuesday evening after hazmat teams determined the chemical spill posed no threat to residents or the environment. The incident forced nearby homes and two businesses to evacuate temporarily, with some residents using gas masks as a precaution.
Residents within a half-mile of the plant were ordered to shelter in place starting Tuesday afternoon after a chemical container released an unknown substance. James Anderson, a neighbor who has lived near the plant for a decade, said the area has a history of incidents. 'I've been uncomfortable for the last ten years with it right there,' he said. 'This isn't the first time something has happened here.'
Last September, the same plant released an orange smoke plume visible across the northeast part of Palm Bay. At the time, officials said the vapor was not harmful, though residents expressed concerns. Tuesday's spill followed a similar pattern: workers reported a small release from a container, but the substance was not immediately identified.
Palm Bay Fire Rescue said the shelter-in-place order was a precaution while hazmat crews investigated. Teams remained on scene to monitor weather conditions and wind patterns. As of late Tuesday, no injuries or arrests had been reported, and officials confirmed the environment was safe. 'We don't know what substance was released, but it was a small amount,' said a fire department spokesperson. 'The priority was protecting public safety.'