Fire Continues to Burn in Wash. Farm-Chemical Building; Schools to Stay Cl

[Tsiyu]

GRANDVIEW, Wash. (AP) - About 100 homes and businesses remained evacuated Thursday as a chemical fire continued to burn in south-central Washington, sending potentially harmful smoke into the air.
State and federal authorities were monitoring air quality near the Wilbur-Ellis Co., an agricultural chemical and fertilizer retail operation where the fire broke out Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities had not detected dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in the air beyond 100 feet from the building, but about 400 nearby residents remained out of their homes Thursday night as a precaution, said Mark MacIntyre, a spokesman for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. About 40 of them were staying at a shelter.

"They want to be cautious, because the nature of the fire is still questionable," MacIntyre said.

Dozens of people have been checked at area hospitals after complaining of skin irritation or respiratory problems.

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