UpdateFatal US plant blast under investigation

19 December 2007 23:45  [Source: ICIS news]

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HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The US Chemical Safety Board has sent a team to investigate a fatal explosion at a solvents plant at Jacksonville, Florida, the agency said on Wednesday.

A blast ripped through a plant owned by T2 Labs, which makes limonene- and terpene-based solvents.

The explosion killed three people and injured at least 14 people, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Of the 14 people taken to hospitals, one was listed in critical condition, three were fair and five were in good condition, the AP reported. The conditions of the other patients were not known.

Calls to the Jacksonville Fire Department were not returned. The Jacksonville Police Department referred all questions to the fire department.

The US Chemical Safety Board said it has sent a board member and a six-person investigation team to the site. The team should arrive at the site on Thursday, the board said.

The company also makes Ecotane, a manganese-based gasoline additive, according to T2 Labs' Web site.

The Jacksonville Times-Union reported multi-story explosions at the plant.

The powerful blast knocked out two of the three generating units at a power plant owned by JEA, said Marcia Francis, JEA spokeswoman.

Nonetheless, service was not disrupted because there was little demand for power on Wednesday, she said.
By: Al Greenwood
+1 713 525 2653

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