Southwest
20 cheese factory workers injured after chemical spill at New Mexico factory releases toxic gas: police
Twenty people were injured on Monday after a chemical spill at a New Mexico cheese factory released toxic gas, according to officials.
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital. Authorities were alerted to the incident, which took place at the Southwest Cheese factory in Clovis, at around 9:15 a.m. on Monday.
When emergency responders arrived, they discovered that a chemical spill had released toxic gas in one part of the factory.
“It was learned that 8.67 gallons of acid spilled and was mixed with .61 gallons of chlorine due to an equipment malfunction,” the Curry County Sheriff’s Office explained in a press release. “The chemical mixture produced toxic gas that spread in one area of the facility.”
HOUSTON CHEMICAL PLANT LEAK KILLS 2, INJURES AT LEAST 35
A chemical spill at the Southwest Cheese factory in Clovis, N.M., left 20 employees injured. (Google Maps)
Sheriff Michael Brockett told Fox News Digital that two of the injured workers were in critical condition. In total, 14 employees were taken to two local hospitals.
Authorities did not release additional details about the severity of the injuries, but some of the ailing workers were moved in private vehicles.
“The Clovis Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team was activated and responded to the scene,” the press release noted. “New Mexico State Police is coordinating with Southwest Cheese in cleaning the hazardous chemicals.”
BIOLAB PLANT FIRE: GEORGIA RESIDENTS EVACUATE AS TOXIC SMOKE BILLOWS FROM CHEMICAL-FUELED INFERNO
Southwest Cheese specializes in manufacturing hard cheeses and whey products, according to its website. (Google Maps)
According to Southwest Cheese’s website, the company specializes in manufacturing hard cheeses and whey products. Its whey products include whey concentrates, which are used in dairy products like ice cream, and whey isolates, which are used in protein bars.
“Using only the freshest milk supplied by our local dairy farmers, Southwest Cheese produces premium cheeses and high quality whey protein powders for our global customers,” its website reads. “Each delivery of milk is thoroughly tested for antibiotics and other contaminants. We reject all milk that does not meet our high-quality standards.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Southwest Cheese for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies are investigating the incident. (Google Maps)
Authorities are investigating the incident. No additional details are known at this time.
Read the full article from Here
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
-
A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
-
Milwaukee, WI1 minute agoBrewers score: Mitchell, Contreras power Crew past Cubs
-
Atlanta, GA8 minutes agoHow to watch San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
-
Minneapolis, MN12 minutes agoMan, 19, hospitalized after shooting in north Minneapolis; no arrests
-
Indianapolis, IN23 minutes agoMan’s body found in White River in downtown Indianapolis
-
Pittsburg, PA26 minutes agoSouth Side Street Fest adds more metal detectors and ID scanner to speed up lines
-
Augusta, GA31 minutes agoAugusta Pride celebration moves to fairgrounds amid Broad Street construction
-
Washington, D.C39 minutes agoStates show their stuff: The Great American State Fair opens in D.C.
-
Cleveland, OH41 minutes agoColt Emerson Leads Mariners Past Guardians In Return to Ohio – WHIZ – Fox 5 / Marquee Broadcasting
