At about 12:15 p.m., agencies responded to an explosion at the Air Gas Facility found at the Ascend Performance Materials Chemical Plant, located at 3000 Old Chemstrand Road in Cantoment, FL.
At this time there are no off-site impacts. Residents in the area need to take no action at this time.
Crews are currently performing search and rescue operations. Plant staff state there is no active leak. Crews from Escambia County Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, EMS, Sheriff’s Office, State Fire Marshall and the Florida Highway Patrol are responding.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, one person is confirmed unaccounted for at the Airgas explosion. No other injuries to Airgas or Ascend employees have been reported.
Around 6:30 p.m. it was announced that a body had been recovered and the identity should be made by the medical examiners office on Monday.
