EQ To Reimburse Apex for Chemical Fire Expenses

Apex, N.C. — The company whose hazardous-waste operation caught fire two months ago, prompting a massive evacuation, has agreed to pay Apex more than $200,000 for costs incurred during the emergency.

An Oct. 5 chemical fire at the Environmental Quality Industrial Services facility led to the evacuation of about 17,000 residents for more than a day until the fire was put out and officials had determined there was no immediate health risk to allowing people to return home.

The cause of the fire hasn't been determined, but the incident has prompted state officials to look at tightening regulations on hazardous-waste sites.

EQ will reimburse Apex $201,600 to pay the overtime earned by police, firefighters and emergency responders during the incident, Town Manager Bruce Radford said. The money also will pay for the emergency workers from surrounding areas that assisted the town.

About $40,000 will pay for consultants hired by Apex after the fire to assess the possible health risks and environmental damage created by the fire.