A midday fire and explosions damaged the village’s sewage treatment plant Wednesday, causing the precautionary evacuation of nearby homes.
But the plant was still operating after the fire, according to Chief Operator John Jones.
Village police Chief Ken Scott said the fire was reported to 911 at 12:06 p.m.
The fire apparently began in an exterior area where welding contractors were working on a device called a rotating biological contactor (RBC). The RBCs are involved in the final step of the treatment process before the sewage is discharged.
The welders were the only ones working at the plant at the time. Jones said plant workers had just gone to lunch.
Scott said the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Vini Tankasali, Orange County’s fire coordinator, said there were three explosions at the plant during the fire, but no one was hurt. Town of Highlands and New Windsor ambulances were on the scene.