Workshop explosion and fire injure worker and firefighter

On Behalf of | Feb 20, 2013 | Workplace Injuries

When disaster strikes in a work environment, the dangers to employees are immense. If the work place involves heavy industry, hazardous materials can pose a threat not just to the workers at the site, but the emergency crews that respond to the catastrophe. Anyone who suffers injury on the job has benefits coming. To ensure the fullness of that coverage is obtained, it helps to consult with an experienced attorney.

A string of explosions and a blaze recently at a company near the Pennsylvania town of Dillsburg resulted in two people being hurt. The first was a worker at the excavation and paving company where the scene unfolded. The other was a firefighter with a volunteer crew that had responded.

At the time this is being written, there hasn’t been an official report of exactly what happened. An investigation is said to be under way. What is known from official reports is that something was already wrong when police first arrived at the company. The first officer said that as he got there, he heard up to four explosions from within one workshop and the building was being destroyed by fire.

Authorities say it was after one explosion that an employee at the company and the firefighter suffered their injuries. Both were taken to area hospitals with head injuries. Their conditions weren’t reported.

At one point it was estimated that as many as 100 firefighters were on the line trying to bring the fire under control. One spokesman says that material in and around the workshop made that difficult. He said two large drums of oil were inside the structure. Outside, there were two 450-gallon propane tanks. The weather didn’t help, either. Officials say it was bitter cold and wind fanned the flames.

Considering all the conditions that came together in this instance, it’s fortunate no one was killed. Hopefully, the two individuals who were hurt are on the mend and are on track to receiving all the workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to.

Source: The Sentinel, “Two injured in explosion, fire at excavation company near Dillsburg Thursday,” Joseph Cress, Jan. 31, 2013

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