GEORGETOWN, DEL. – Officials issued a shelter-in-place order on Jan. 8 near a Perdue Farms plant in Georgetown, Del., after a chemical incident at the facility.

Perdue stated a chemical supplier accidentally mixed a chemical into a tank, creating a smoke plume that eventually dissipated.

“We notified local emergency management,” said Tom Ryan, spokesperson for Perdue. “The fire department advised those nearby to shelter in place as a precautionary measure. That shelter-in-place order was lifted a few hours later. Operations were not impacted, there are no disruptions for our customers and no serious injuries were reported. At Perdue Farms, the safety and well-being of our associates, neighbors and community remain our highest priority.”

Michael Globetti, media relations manager for the Delaware of Natural Resource and Environmental Control (DNREC), confirmed an active investigation, with any enforcement actions by DNREC to be determined.

Local reports stated that four plant workers exposed to the chemicals reported mild symptoms but did not need to be taken to the hospital.