Tense moments before fire contained

There were some tense moments in Emporium Sunday evening after a delivery truck driver discovered a fire at the base of a liquid hydrogen storage tank at the GKN Sinter Metals plant on Barton Street, commonly referred to as "Plant Two."

An Air Liquide truck driver called 9-1-1 after discovering the fire. He and a fellow Air Liquide employee were able to stop the leak, extinguishing the fire.

Recognizing the volatility of hyrogen, responders evacuated several Carson Street homes and advised about 10 employees at GKN to exit the building. A temporary shelter was established at the firehall.

Only local traffic to South Mountain was permitted across Broad Street Bridge. All other traffic was turned away for several hours.

Emporium Volunteer Fire Department and Cameron County Ambulance Service, along with Cameron County Emergency Management Agency, were joined at the scene by the Elk County Hazmat Team.

The hydrogen tank is owned and maintained by Air Liquide. The leak was traced to a faulty valve. It is not known what ignited the hydrogen.