REC Silicon looks into Monday fire

MOSES LAKE - REC Silicon officials are investigating a fire that broke out at their facilities along Wheeler Road just before 10 a.m. Monday - the company's second hazard in a month.

"We deeply regret that these incidents have occurred and any impact that they have had on the community," REC Silicon's Head of Community Affairs Sharon Palmerton said. "The public's health and safety remain our top priorities. We are conducting an investigation, and working with area agencies and members of the community to gather their feedback and address their concerns."

Palmerton said the company is looking to determine the exact cause of the fire, which was contained to the firm's Silane IV unit.

A chemical cloud was still released Monday, and consisted of particulate aluminum oxide, steam and trace quantities of other impurities, Palmerton said.

REC has been monitoring levels of offsite hydrochloric acid and have found none in the area as of Wednesday.

This fire and cloud release comes less than a month after the REC facility accidently leaked chemicals into the atmosphere which, combined with moisture, forms silicon dioxide and hydrochloric acid.