INSTITUTE – Authorities in Kanawha County are dealing with a “chemical incident” at a facility between Institute and Nitro, according to a statement from West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Metro 911 of Kanawha County announced on its Facebook page this morning that a shelter-in-place order had been issued within a one-mile radius of Catalyst Refiners in Institute. By 10:31 a.m., the order had been lifted for St. Albans and MacCorckle Avenue. As of 12:08 p.m., the order remained in place from Catalyst Refiners to West Virginia State University.

The specific nature of the incident was not described in the Facebook post or Morrisey’s statement.

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our citizens,” Morrisey said. “We are working around the clock with local officials to ensure this incident is contained and that all necessary state resources are on the ground to protect the community.”

The release said the state Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Management Division, the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection are coordinating with Kanawha County Emergency Management. DEP is providing decontamination and disposal assistance, it said.

A number of individuals are receiving treatment at local hospitals, the release said.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., posted on X that she is monitoring the situation.

“I am grateful to our local first responders and emergency personnel who are on the scene working quickly to contain the incident and keep residents and workers safe,” she said. “In the meantime, my office is staying in contact with state and local officials, and I encourage those in the affected area to follow any and all guidance from officials as we continue to learn more.”