Explosion Reported At Rubbertown Plant

[Copperheadi69]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Emergency crews are at the scene of an explosion at Eckart Aluminum in Rubbertown.An officer at the scene said there is no danger to the community near the facility on Campground Road.A few small fires continued burning after the explosion, and firefighters used a special chemical to put those out.Two workers were taken to the hospital by ambulance with what officials believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.Officials said the explosion happened around 7 p.m. Monday in a building containing aluminum powder. Something sparked in the building and it exploded.The situation has been classified as a level one hazmat, the lowest level of classification.There were 20 to 30 workers in the plant at the time of the explosion.The air around the plant has been tested and nothing harmful was detected.Traffic is being diverted around the area because of fire and rescue vehicles at the scene.

Read more: http://www.wlky.com/news/27832096/detail.html#ixzz1LuIgvUGD

 

[Copperheadi69]

Two people were injured Monday evening around 7 p.m. in an aluminum dust explosion at Eckart Aluminum in the 4100 block of Campground Road in Rubbertown.

It happened in an area called the Bag House, where aluminum powder is held.

Static in clothing can ignite that powder, but firefighters still are not sure what caused the explosion. The blast was reported to be a flash explosion.

Firefighters said 20 to 30 workers were in the plant when something caused aluminum powder to ignite and explode inside a building.

Many residents around the area said that they could feel the blast. Even people in New Albany, Ind. said they could feel the explosion and see the smoke.

WHAS11 discovered that Eckart was cited by the state in May of 2002, after a fire and explosion led to the death of a maintenance supervisor.

Edited May 10, 2011 by Copperheadi69