Several people injured in chemical spill at Rolls-Royce plant

Jill Disis, The Indianapolis Star

Fire and rescue crews were called to the Rolls Royce plant in Indianapolis on March 28, 2014 after an explosion involving an acid vat. Eight workers were transported to area hospitals in stable condition. The plant remains evacuated, and second shift has been cancelled.

Wayne Township fire crews say eight people were injured this afternoon after an explosion involving a 250-gallon tank of nitric acid at the Rolls-Royce plant at 2355 S. Tibbs Ave.

The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. The circumstances surrounding the explosion are unclear.

By 2:15 p.m., fire and medical crews had treated nine Rolls-Royce employees for exposure to the acid. Seven were taken to IU Methodist Hospitals and one to Eskenzi Hospital.

It was unclear how serious their injuries are, but all were reported to be stable, said Wayne Township Fire Department spokesman Mike Pruitt. Nitric acid is a corrosive substance that can cause severe burns.

Fire crews also reported that they had seen a "chemical cloud" inside of the plant. By about 2:40 p.m., Wayne Township fire officials said the incident was under control.

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