TOXIC CLOUD WREAKS HAVOC IN GULFPORT

GULFPORT - A toxic cloud of anhydrous ammonia hovered over north Gulfport
for six hours Sunday morning, spawned by what authorities believe was a
botched burglary attempt at a chemical company.

The cloud, which originated from an open tank valve at a nearby chemical
manufacturing company, triggered widespread evacuations at businesses and
hotels along U.S. 49. Major roadways, including U.S. 49 and Interstate 10,
were closed to traffic for hours. And runways at the Gulfport-Biloxi
International Airport went quiet as authorities feared ground crews would
be exposed to the dangerous gas.

At least a dozen people were treated at hospitals, with many complaining of
burning eyes and lungs. Of those admitted, all but one were later released,
hospital officials said.

The leak, discovered around 2:11 a.m., originated from a tank of anhydrous
ammonia at Channel Chemical Corp. on Seaway Road. The tank's valve had been
left open. Though anhydrous ammonia is typically used as an agriculture
fertilizer or industrial refrigerant, authorities said evidence found at
the site led them to believe someone sought the chemical to manufacture
illegal methamphetamine.

The fence surrounding the company apparently did little to deter potential
thieves. But the company's owner, Tom Reid, said he would tighten security
this week, adding surveillance cameras and other equipment.

"This was out of the blue," Reid said. "I couldn't believe how (the
interest in methamphetamine) has escalated."

By 2:30 a.m., authorities had established a command post at Crossroads
Shopping Center, located just a mile or so northeast of the leak's origin.
Early on, authorities could not get close enough to the leaking tank to
determine what chemical they were dealing with.

One attempt by a Gulfport police officer led to a nerve-rattling rescue in
a nearby bayou, where the officer was trapped by the toxic cloud for 45
minutes until a hazardous materials team fetched him by boat. Two emergency
response officials and at least one other woman also inhaled some of the
toxic fumes and were transported by ambulance to local hospitals.

"There were some tense moments," said Gulfport Deputy Chief Steve Barnes.
"There almost always is whenever you have situations involving chemicals."

Officials said they were lucky in many respects. Light southwestern winds
scarcely moved the toxic cloud more than a few miles from its origin in the
largely empty industrial park. Furthermore, the early hour when the leak
occurred proved a "blessing" because most employees were still at home,
leaving most businesses empty, authorities said.

"This had the potential to be a life-threatening situation," said Gulfport
Fire Chief Pat Sullivan. "It's something we constantly drill for, but we
were still very lucky."

By 4:30 a.m., Gulfport firefighters had turned off the valve and stemmed
the chemical leak. About 600 gallons of the chemical had escaped from the
2,000-gallon tank.

Authorities monitored the toxic plume by helicopter. As the sun rose and
temperatures warmed, the cloud dissipated. Still, local businesses could do
little but wait.

The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, for example, which has stayed
open through hurricanes, was forced to close for the first time in at least
eight years, said Ken Spirito, the airport's assistant executive director.

At least five departing flights were delayed until the airport was
authorized to reopen at about 10 a.m., stranding about 100 passengers on
the airport's busiest travel day of the week.

Several of the airport's ground employees later were transported to
hospitals for precautionary health checks.

Travelers, forced to evacuate their hotel rooms situated along U.S. 49,
waited out the early-morning hours at restaurants just outside the
evacuation zone.

By 8:30 a.m., Department of Environmental Quality officials determined that
the air quality had returned to safe levels, allowing local roadways and
businesses to reopen. At 9 a.m., Gulfport Police Chief Wayne Payne
instructed about 25 officers to go door to door checking on residents.