A massive fire broke out at a Sherwin-Williams paint factory in Garland on Monday during the early morning hours, resulting in explosions that woke some nearby residents.
The Garland Fire Department (GFD) responded to reports of a blaze at the plant at about 1:20 a.m. on August 7, according to a press release. A total of 16 Garland fire units responded to the scene at 701 South Shiloh Rd.
Video footage shows flames and large plumes of smoke emanating from the facility. One witness described the sky as “exploding” a “bright fiery red-orange,” per NBC 5 DFW.
THIS MORNING: A massive fire is now contained at the Sherwin Williams paint plant in Garland but crews are still working on hot spots. It was a frightening scene earlier…look at that ball of fire!
We’re updating the situation here ➡️ https://t.co/sEQy0Dksky pic.twitter.com/ekjaWUVGx7
— Alanna Quillen (@AlannaNBC5) August 7, 2023
“You could smell it … If you know what paint smells like when you paint a house — that’s what it smelled like,” said the witness.
Fire personnel were able to subdue the blaze within about two hours. However, crews remained at the facility for several hours afterward to monitor hot spots.
One Sherman Williams employee was transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was released, according to company spokesperson Julie Young. No other injuries were reported.
The explosions at the paint manufacturing plant shook homes and businesses in the area, including the Garland Police Department, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
“It felt pretty hard. Like the whole house shook,” local resident Giovanny Gamboa, who lives several miles away, told Fox 4. “I felt the shake. I came and investigated myself. I didn’t expect it to be something this far away.”
“I heard a loud boom, followed by multiple loud booms. I lost count at over 15. And big bellows of smoke from fireballs rising from the plant,” said Jim Norris, a neighbor, per NBC 5.
Witnesses claimed to have heard the explosions as far away as the Firewheel Town Center, located about 5 miles north of the paint factory, per NBC 5.
The City of Garland reported on August 8 that it has partnered with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct air and groundwater tests. So far, air and water-quality levels near the facility have been deemed safe, although there has been some chemical runoff into nearby waterways.
“During the efforts to contain the fire and manage immediate life safety priorities, foam retardant from the Sherwin-Williams fire suppression system entered the sewers and surrounding creeks. … TCEQ, the EPA, the City, and Sherwin-Williams are working to remediate the issues caused by the runoff and remove any remaining foam,” the city’s statement read.
“While some dead fish have been observed in the impacted creeks, no major impacts to public health have been identified at this time. The public is advised to not fish or have contact with these creeks while contaminant testing and cleanup activities continue,” the city cautioned.
Young told Reuters that the company has decided to suspend production at this facility for now.
“Once the fire department gives the ‘all clear’ and permits us to access the site, we will assess the impact this event will have on our ability to continue operations at this site and the potential environmental impacts,” said Young, according to Reuters.
GFD reported on August 8 that traffic on Shiloh Road between Forest Lane and Marquis Drive has been re-opened but is currently limited to one lane only.
“If you must travel through the area please use caution. If you can find an alternate route we ask that you take it until we can get Shiloh Road fully re-opened,” said GFD in a tweet.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
