The FAR Chemical blasts originated from an industrial storage area containing 30 to 40 50-gallon barrels of an isopropyl alcohol-based solution, Palm Bay spokeswoman Keely Leggett said. But it doesn’t matter how well-prepared you are: Accidents happen,” Joe Beatty, vice president and general manager of FAR Chemical, said Monday. [READ: FAR Chemical warned Palm Bay officials of hazards months before explosion | FAR Chemical, site of Palm Bay explosion, has history of safety violations]FAR Chemical’s parent company filed a pair of lawsuits against the city in March, asking an appellate court to overturn the rezoning. Students and staffers at Palm Bay High School, Palm Bay Elementary School, Stone Middle School, University Park Elementary School and Riviera Elementary School were ordered to shelter-in-place inside campus buildings shortly after last month’s explosions. Miller said the FAR Chemical lawsuits argue that the City Council did not receive competent, substantial evidence before casting votes.

PALM BAY, Fla. – The Department of Environmental Protection investigation into the September explosion at FAR Chemical in Palm Bay is still underway but investigators have found possible violation of Florida law, according to a letter sent to the company by the Florida DEP. According to its website, FAR Chemical has been “handling and processing complex and hazardous chemistries” at its Palm Bay facility for the past 35 years. [READ: FAR Chemical warned Palm Bay officials of hazards months before explosion | FAR Chemical, site of Palm Bay explosion, has history of safety violations]According to a DEP letter sent Sept. 15 to FAR Chemical CEO Joseph W. Beatty, the company failed to notify the public within 24 hours that the explosion had released potentially hazardous material into the air, as required by Florida statute. It also failed to contain the pollution release from neighboring property required under Florida law, according to the letter. FAR Chemical could face fines and penalties if they are found in violation after further review.

| Search ongoing for gunman who shot deputies]The chemical company hired attorneys and certified planners, who publicly warned Palm Bay officials of potential deadly dangers. When Beatty of FAR Chemical addressed the City Council last October, he was not referring to a potential explosion. The Palm Bay chemical plant increased its capacity 40% last year. Palm Bay attorney Jack Spira represented FAR Chemical during the City Council rezoning debate last October. Wednesday afternoon, attorneys for FAR Chemical filed a motion requesting a time extension in the ongoing court case, in light of the Palm Bay explosions.

PALM BAY, Fla. Tuesdays blast at FAR Chemical Inc. is the second time an explosion at the site has rocked the neighborhood, and comes after a litany of safety violations in recent years, News 6 partner Florida Today reported. On May 21, 2008, a similar explosion at FAR killed 60-year-old plant worker, Harl Buck Brown, a 13-year employee. Since the 2008 incident, state and federal environmental regulators have cited the company for safety violations. Other violations included:failing to make hazardous waste determinations on chemicals;storing hazardous waste without a permit;storing ignitable and/or reactive hazardous wastes at a location within one of its buildings that was less than 50 feet from the property line;failing to conduct weekly inspections of stored hazardous waste; and other chemical safety violations. In 2000, DEP issued $77,226 in civil penalties for hazardous waste releases, $38,613 of which the agency allowed the company to offset by pollution prevention projects.

PALM BAY, Fla. – No injuries have been reported after an explosion rocked a chemical plant in Palm Bay Tuesday morning, sending clouds of thick black smoke into the sky. About 30 minutes later, Palm Bay Fire Rescue confirmed that the explosion happened at FAR Chemical on Wilhelmina Court. According to its website, FAR Chemical has been “handling and processing complex and hazardous chemistries” at its Palm Bay facility for the past 35 years. Please avoid US 1 and the area of Conlan /Palm Bay Rd due to fires from an explosion near US 1 and RJ Conlan. Neighbor records moments after reported explosion at @FARChemical plant near U.S. 1 and RJ Conlan Blvd in Palm Bay.