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2 Face Charges in Chemical Explosion, Fire at Modesto Waste Facility
Charges stem from illegal storage and disposal of 55-gallon drums with flammable magnesium and aluminum powder that caused explosions and a fire, officials said.
- On March 27, 2025, an explosion and fire occurred at Gilton's Resource Recovery Facility in Modesto as waste from Advanced Materials Manufacturing Technologies, LLC was being offloaded.
- The Stanislaus County District Attorney says AM2T owner Henry Meeks and manager Phillip Whitmore allegedly facilitated illegal dumping of drums filled with flammable powdered magnesium and aluminum, with Gilton employees unaware of the hazardous contents.
- Firefighters found water created a new hazard, sparking a secondary blast, so heavy equipment was used to smother the fire with dirt; one Gilton worker had minor injuries and no firefighters were hurt.
- The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office released dramatic video when charging Meeks and Whitmore, with Whitmore arrested and a warrant issued for Meeks, related to the March 27 explosion.
- Investigators later found more illegally stored 55-gallon drums at AM2T's facility in Riverbank, prompting broader safety concerns and charges against two men involved in last year's Modesto explosions.
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Two charged for hazmat explosion at California waste facility - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
MODESTO, California (KCRA) — Two men are facing charges after an investigation into chemical explosions and fires at a waste management facility in Modesto last year. In announcing the charges, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office also released dramatic video that showed the moment 55-gallon drums alleged to be filled with hazardous waste exploded on March 27. It happened when waste from Riverbank-based Advanced Materials Manufacturi…
·Miami, United States
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Video shows chemical explosion, fire as hazardous waste is unloaded at a Modesto facility
The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s office has filed criminal charges after an investigation into chemical explosions and fires at a waste management facility in Modesto in 2025.
·Sacramento, United States
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution94% Center
Bias Distribution
- 94% of the sources are Center
94% Center
C 94%
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