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Residents Return To Homes After Leetsdale Warehouse Fire

Allegheny County
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A large, smoky chemical warehouse fire near Pittsburgh forced residents from about 70 nearby homes and injured multiple people.

Emergency crews on Tuesday moved people living near Weatherford Engineered Chemicals in Leetsdale to a high school gymnasium as a precaution.

The evacuation order has since been lifted, according to county officials. 

Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Alvin Henderson says the injured included three employees. One reportedly had a burned hand and two inhaled fumes. A firefighter also was being evaluated for inhaling fumes. None of the injuries was deemed life-threatening.

The fire northwest of Pittsburgh was reported about 10:10 a.m. Flames shot from the roof and dark gray smoke could be seen for miles.

Officials said in a press conference Tuesday evening that the scene was "being wrapped up" and that the Allegheny County Fire Marshal would be investigating. 

More than 20 fire departments responded to the blaze. 

The warehouse is owned by Lubrizol Corp. It says the fire started when employees were mixing chemicals in a production tank.