The Santa Clara City Fire Department was at the scene of a three-alarm fire caused by an explosion at a chemical facility Saturday afternoon.
The incident was reported at Silicon Valley Air Products on 1515 Norman Avenue at around 4:30 p.m., according to officials.
The company serves customers in the “including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage” industry, according to the company’s website.
Videos posted on social media showed smoke coming out of the facility and witnesses reported hearing a big explosion prior to seeing smoke.
“At first, we thought it was an earthquake,” said Harry Nguyen, a business owner around the corner from the facility. He told NBC Bay Area that his whole building “shook like hell.”
Multiple tanker trucks were set for refueling at the time of the incident, and after hearing a hissing sound, employers went to shut off a hydrogen tank with up to 1,500 gallons of highly explosive gas.
Officials ordered a two-block radius shelter in place for a couple of hours while they controlled the flames.
No injuries were reported and the company is investigating the matter.
Photo Credit: Jason Feinsmith
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Source: NBC Bay Area