Blast at Chemical Plant Injures Man
One man was critically burned and flames leaped more than 400 feet into the sky Tuesday when a pressure tank exploded, setting fire to 6,000 gallons of acid at a chemical plant in Santa Fe Springs.
Twenty engine companies from Santa Fe Springs, Downey and Los Angeles County kept flames from spreading and brought the fire under control in 45 minutes. There was no evacuation of the area, and no immediate estimate of damage.
A 57-year-old employee of the Productol Chemical Co. in the 10000 block of Romandel Avenue was near the tank at the time of the blast. He was taken by helicopter to the burn center at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital, where he was reported in critical condition with second and third degree burns on 50% of his body. He was not immediately identified.
Santa Fe Springs Fire Battalion Chief Gail Cook said over-pressurization apparently caused the blast that touched off the fire.
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