A year after an explosion sent a cloud of toxic chemicals over Apex, forcing thousands to evacuate, it's tough to find evidence that anything happened at all.

The site where on Oct. 6, 2006, a giant ball of flame erupted from the chemical waste storage building run by Environmental Quality Co. is now surrounded by a chain-link fence. Neighboring businesses in the industrial part of Apex were humming along regularly Thursday.

The explosion did change state laws that regulate how dangerous chemicals can be stored. It made residential communities aware of potential dangers in their neighborhoods.

Apex remembers

Russell McClelland, 49, and his family lived at the Beechridge Apartments, near the site. He helped police evacuate the apartment building. His daughter was hospitalized with respiratory problems from the chemical cloud. A year later, his family is fine and his daughter has recovered.

"I knew it was getting close to a year," McClelland said. "My wife and I had our anniversary just before."

He credited rescue workers on scene for their quick response.

"It could have been a lot worse if the Apex police and the rescue squads and the Red Cross weren't there," McClelland said. "I give a big thumbs up to all of them."

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Carolyn Hedgepeth, 64, is still nervous.

"I was thinking about it today," the retired nurse said. "Every time I hear the boom, I wonder what else has blowed up."

Hedgepeth's house was one of the closest to the fire. In the rush to evacuate, she had to leave her miniature schnauzer, Winston, in her backyard.

Winston is doing OK but has been slowed down by the chemical exposure. Hedgepeth suffers from allergies that are worse now than before the explosion. Developers have made offers on her house but not enough to justify leaving and searching for a new home.

"I would love to move," she said.

Dream Sports vs. EQ

Bob Boucher, co-owner of Dream Sports Center, is still reeling from the loss of business at his indoor in-line hockey and soccer arena.

Dream Sports, not far from EQ, saw an 80 percent drop in walk-in business, Boucher said.

Parents were leery of having their children drop in and shoot Friday night hoops so close to the fire site.

Dream Sports is wrangling with EQ over a settlement. Recently, Dream Sports threatened a lawsuit to make up for its lost business.

It's the last resort, "if we can avoid it," Boucher said.

EQ's insurance company is evaluating the claim by Dream Sports, said Robert Doyle, an EQ spokesman. The company wants to have the matter taken care of soon, he said.

"We're working closely to try to get these issues resolved," Doyle said.

New law in effect

On Monday a state law regulating hazardous waste went into effect for companies with hazardous waste permits.

Among the changes prompted by the Apex fire:

* Companies applying for a hazardous waste permit must notify businesses and residents within a quarter-mile that they have applied and must periodically send out information about the company's emergency response plan.

* Information about what is stored at the company and contingency plans for emergencies must be provided to local governments and emergency personnel.

* Companies must keep a list of all chemicals stored in a building off site so that environmental and emergency workers can quickly find out what they are dealing with in a crisis.

Will EQ rebuild?

Bruce Radford, Apex's town manager, spent a long night a year ago helping to coordinate the town's response to the emergency.

On Thursday, he said the town has resisted allowing EQ to rebuild its storage facility on Investment Boulevard. Officials will refuse to approve site plans for the construction of a new storage facility, he said.

"The town of Apex will vehemently oppose the relocation of [EQ]," Radford said.