‘Just pray for these people’: 6 injured, 2 critically, in acid spill at chemical plant

NARROWS, Va. (WDBJ/Gray News) - Six people were injured Thursday in an acid spill at a chemical plant in Virginia.

According to the Giles County Sheriff’s Office, the spill happened at the Celanese Corporation chemical plant in Narrows.

There were no fatalities immediately reported but six workers were injured, including two being treated at an area hospital with critical injuries.

“A release of acetic acid vapor occurred in the Cellulose Acetate Unit causing injuries to six employees,” a company spokesperson said. “The release has been contained and confined to the immediate area of the plant.”

The company said its emergency response plan was activated and the appropriate agencies were notified.

“They did everything possible. But when you’re working in an environment like this, sometimes things are just inevitable,” Giles County Administrator Chris McKlarney said. “So it’s it’s our hope that everybody just pray for these people that were injured, and the community will certainly rally behind them.”

The company said it continues to fully cooperate with authorities and all other site employees have been accounted for.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the spill.