A violent chemical reaction at a Catalyst Refiners facility in Institute, West Virginia, early Wednesday morning resulted in two fatalities and approximately 30 hospitalizations.

Emergency responders were called to the silver recovery business just before 9:30 a.m. when officials confirmed a release of hydrogen sulfide gas.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey stated that state agencies are collaborating with Kanawha County emergency personnel to address the incident, which has prompted immediate decontamination and cleanup efforts at the Ames Goldsmith Catalyst Refiners site.

“The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Management Division, the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Protection are coordinating closely with Kanawha County Emergency Management,” Morrisey said. “We have a lot of people to thank. I think we’re fortunate to be in a place where we’re collaborating.”

Preliminary information from Kanawha County officials indicates that the incident occurred during cleaning operations at the facility when a chemical reaction generated hydrogen sulfide gas. Hydrogen sulfide, a flammable colorless gas with a rotten egg odor, is highly toxic and can cause death with minimal exposure.

Ben Salango, president of the Kanawha County Commissioners, confirmed that operations were shut down as part of cleanup efforts at the time of the incident. “At this time it is believed that a chemical reaction occurred during that cleaning process,” he said.

County officials reported that air and water tests in Institute, Dunbar, Nitro, and St. Albans have shown no threats to public health. A mile-wide shelter-in-place order was issued but has since been lifted.

The Ames Goldsmith Corporation stated that the two fatalities included two colleagues and a third person is hospitalized. Residents in the surrounding areas were advised to follow personal protective measures issued by Kanawha County until further notice.