Acxiom Data Center Shuts After Explosion Nearby
Hundreds of employees were evacuated from an Acxiom data center in Conway, AR, after an explosion yesterday at a chemical plant near the center.The explosion, which occurred at industrial chemical company Detco Industries, sent up clouds of smoke that could be seen for miles, according to reports.
"All of the employees working in the center have been evacuated," said Dale Ingram, an Acxiom spokesman. "While 1,800 people work in the center, it is impossible to determine how many were on site at that specific time." Acxiom has about 5,500 employees worldwide, but Conway is its largest single location of workers.
Ingram said that Acxiom and several other businesses and homes were asked to evacuate as a precaution. The evacuated area included parts of an industrial park and a daycare center, according to reports. No Acxiom associates were harmed or injured, Ingram said.
No disruption of service will occur, "because the data center can be monitored and managed from other Acxiom locations temporarily," Ingram said. "Some employees have also been able to go home and monitor the data there."
Ingram said it is too early to tell when the center will reopen.
"We are waiting to hear from the Conway emergency authorities on when they believe it will be safe to return," Ingram said.
