Santa Fe, N.M.-New Mexico officials say they don’t have any information to indicate that Helena Chemical Co.’s fire at Humboldt, Tenn., was caused by anything but lightning, but they still want to make sure that conditions don’t exist at the company’s plant in Mesquite that would create a similar problem. “We’re just looking into their operations to make sure,” reported Marissa Stone, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Environmental Dept. Stone confirmed that a department investigation was ordered by Environmental Secretary Ron Curry immediately after fire destroyed the Helena fertilizer warehouse and sales office March 28. She cited press reports that authorities have not determined the cause of the fire in Humboldt, which caused evacuation of about 100 residents and 600 workers in the industrial center. “We will take necessary measures to ensure Helena’s operations in New Mexico do not pose a similar threat,” said Curry. “Because of Helena’s history of inaction, we will take swift, aggressive measures to make sure the health of local residents is protected.” According to Curry, Helena has a history of compliance problems with the department. Groundwater and air quality violations and subsequent compliance orders have been issued to Helena’s operations in Mesquite for alleged chemical spills and the company’s failure to obtain a state air quality permit. Last year, Helena paid a $200,000 settlement to the state for alleged air quality violations. Last week, the company paid a $30,000 settlement for apparent groundwater violations. Helena also operates a second New Mexico facility in Lake Arthur near Artesia.
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