Factory Explosion Kills Worker
February 5, 2002
An explosion ripped holes in a scrap metals factory Friday (1/25/2002), killing one worker and injuring six of his co-workers and many other people who came to the rescue. Investigators interviewed workers from Hi-Temp Specialty Metals Inc. to find the cause of the blast, but were slowed by a language barrier. Translators were brought in for Spanish-speaking employees.
About 125 people were evacuated from a daycare center at the Cathedral of Love across the street, most of them children. Employees from the city's public works department, located next door, ran over to help, said John Carroll, Willingboro's emergency management coordinator. Several were treated for smoke inhalation.
Authorities did not immediately identify the worker who was killed, but said he apparently worked near the vat where the explosion probably occurred. The chemical in the vat was not identified.
Two workers were transported to Cooper Health System in Camden, the closest medical trauma center. One man was treated for superficial burns and eye injuries and then discharged, according to hospital spokeswoman Peggy Leone. She identified the man as Jose Colon, 47, of Camden.
The other man was transferred to the burn unit at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he was in critical condition, hospital spokeswoman Carrie Boyle said. She did not give his identity or describe the nature of his injuries.
At least four factory workers and eight people from a neighboring company arrived at Rancocas Hospital in Willingboro, according to hospital communications staff.
The factory workers, all men, were burned on their hands and faces, but none of the injuries were considered life-threatening, spokeswoman Wendy Marano said. The other eight patients were expected to be released after they were treated in the emergency room for smoke inhalation, said Scott Share, another Rancocas hospital spokesman.
When the explosion occurred, workers were cleaning a heavy, hard metal called tantalum by bathing it in acid, said Rachel Hamilton, spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection. Nitric, hydrochloric and sulfuric acids were used, as well as a chemical called sodium hydroxide, Hamilton said.
The plant is located in an industrial section of the Burlington County community, about 15 miles northeast of downtown Philadelphia.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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