**BREAKING: LONGVIEW CHEMICAL EXPLOSION – FAKE ALERTS SPREAD AFTER REAL INCIDENT**
**Viral Claim:** "A massive chemical explosion at a Longview industrial plant has released a deadly chlorine cloud, forcing evacuations in three states and causing hundreds of injuries."
**Status: PARTIALLY FALSE / MISLEADING**
A real explosion occurred at a Longview chemical facility on [Current Date] at approximately 2:30 PM local time. However, the viral rumor has wildly exaggerated the facts.
**What actually happened:**
- A small explosion occurred in a storage unit at a specialty chemical plant.
- No hazardous materials were released beyond a minor, contained vapor cloud.
- Zero injuries reported. Operations halted only as a precaution.
**What is fake:**
- ❌ "Chlorine gas cloud" – False. No chlorine or toxic gas was involved.
- ❌ "Three-state evacuation" – False. Only a 500-foot perimeter was established for fire crews.
- ❌ "Hundreds injured" – False. No injuries were reported.
- ❌ "Shelter-in-place for 50 miles" – This is a doctored screenshot from an unrelated 2023 incident.
**Source of the rumor:** A manipulated photo of a 2019 chemical fire was paired with a fake emergency alert template. The post has been shared over 12,000 times in 2 hours.
**Official statement from Longview Fire Department:** "There is NO ongoing danger. The incident is contained. Please ignore all messages claiming mass casualties or a gas cloud."
**VERDICT:** Real event, fictional aftermath. Do not reshare the graphic. Local air quality remains normal.