The recent chemical spill at the Silfab Solar facility in Fort Mill has led to a decisive stop work order as state and federal agencies launch a full-scale investigation. State Senator Michael Johnson provided an update following an initial probe by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), emphasizing that community safety—particularly for students at the neighboring Flint Hill Elementary School—is the absolute priority.
Immediate Suspension of Operations
Effective immediately, a strict stop work order is in place at the Logistics Lane facility. Under this mandate:
-
No Manufacturing or Processing: All production and handling of hazardous chemicals must cease.
-
Chemical Freeze: No new hazardous materials are permitted on-site. Senator Johnson confirmed that several scheduled deliveries have already been turned away.
-
Restricted Employee Activity: While staff may still be present, they are strictly prohibited from using, processing, or handling any hazardous substances.
The Incident: What Happened?
The response follows a spill on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, involving potassium hydroxide, a corrosive chemical used in solar cell manufacturing.
| Metric | Detail |
| Initial Report | 1,530 gallons |
| Revised Estimate | 300 gallons |
| Containment | Most was captured by an onsite retention pond; 30 gallons required external hazmat mitigation. |
BREAKING: Hazmat Crews Respond to Chemical Spill at Fort Mill Solar Plant
Escalating Oversight
The SCDES has taken the lead on the investigation but is not working alone. To ensure the facility meets all safety and environmental benchmarks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been called in to conduct an independent review of Silfab’s compliance with federal regulations.
Senator Johnson noted that the speed and severity of this incident—occurring just weeks after the facility was cleared to begin stocking chemicals—has raised “grave concerns” regarding the site’s operational safety.
“The safety of our community and our students remains the top priority. We will continue to stay in contact with SCDES and provide updates as more information becomes available.” — Senator Michael Johnson
The investigation is ongoing, and there is currently no timeline for when the stop work order might be lifted.
Senators Johnson and Climer sent the below letter to the Director of the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
SC DES Director Reece Letter to Silfab:
York County and the Fort Mill School District provided the following statements about the incident.
Fort Mill School District Superintendent Grey Young provide the following statement:
“This morning we received notification that a chemical spill had occurred at the Silfab facility and that York County Emergency Management was responding to the situation. At that time the district was informed that the spill did not pose any danger to our schools or the community, and that emergency plan activation at the school was not required in response. We are appreciative to first responders and York County Emergency Management for addressing this situation.
At the same time the district was in communication with York County Emergency Management, we were also in communication with Citadel EHS regarding the continuous air quality monitoring taking place at the Flint Hill campus. Citadel EHS was quickly able to confirm that no contaminants or chemicals were actively being detected on our site. This information further reinforced the information provided by York County that there was no danger to our schools as a result of this incident.
While the communications this morning happened quickly, as with any emergency situation involving our schools, district staff will review the processes and actions taken in conjunction with York County Emergency Management to identify any areas for improvement. It is the district’s goal to provide clear and timely communications to our parents and staff in the event of any emergency. We also understand that the Department of Environmental Services will be onsite at the Silfab facility to investigate the incident and review safety and emergency response protocols.
We understand the concerns shared by the community and are continuing to work with all parties involved to address issues within the district’s control. We remain committed to providing a safe and healthy environment at all schools and district facilities, and we will make any adjustments needed in support of this goal.”
York County released the following statement:
York County is aware that at approximately 9:45 a.m., there was an incident at 7149 Logistics Lane, initially reported as a 1,530 gallon release of potassium hydroxide, which was later clarified to be a release of 300 gallons of potassium hydroxide. All of the chemical was contained onsite at Silfab, with assistance from the York County Hazmat team and private contractors. Emergency responders were on scene within three minutes and confirmed the incident posed no danger to the public.
The County has been assured by regulatory agencies that today’s incident, while concerning, did not cause a threat to the public’s safety at any point in time. County leaders have also been guaranteed that the spill did not involve a substance that posed a risk to nearby school children. York County is not a regulatory agency, but stands ready to work with the agencies who are tasked with investigating the chemical incident at Silfab Solar. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services has asked Silfab to cease receipt of additional chemicals at their facility until an investigation is complete.
York County Emergency Management has thoroughly prepared for a variety of potential incidents at Silfab Solar. Today, the systems in place to keep our community safe were followed to the fullest extent and provided an immediate response to the incident.
Other points of note:
- York County is not a regulatory agency. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services will lead the investigation into the incident.
- York County Emergency Management reported the incident to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. The County also confirmed the incident was reported to the National Response Center, a division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- York County Council and County leadership will continue to review all new information related to the incident alongside outside counsel and environmental experts.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
