A FIRE AT THE WIPP PLANT NEAR CARLABAD IS OUT. OFFICIALS SAY A TRUCK HAULING SALT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE NORTH MINE UNDERGROUND AT THE FACILITY AROUND 11:00 WEDNESDAY MORNING. NO WORD YET ON WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
SIX WORKERS WERE TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION, BUT HAVE SINCE BEEN RELEASED.
OFFICIALS SAY NONE OF THE RADIOACTIVE WASTE WAS IMPACTED BY THE FIRE. WIPP IS THE NATION'S FIRST AND ONLY DEEP GEOLOGICAL NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY. IT TAKES WASTE FROM LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABS AND OTHER DEFENSE PROJECTS THAT ARE BURIED IN UNDERGROUND SALT BEDS.
