San Fernando Valley : PLANT EXPLOSION
An explosion and fire ripped through a vitamin manufacturing plant in Winnetka on Wednesday afternoon, killing one employee and injuring his brother, authorities said.
The blast claimed the life of a man identified by co-workers and company executives as Simon Pedro Rivera of Sun Valley and injured his brother, Luis Rivera.
Two firefighters were treated at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, one for chest pains, the other for muscle pains.
Los Angeles City Fire Department officials said the explosion and fire, which burned for almost an hour, were apparently caused by an industrial accident
Fire officials said arson could not be ruled out, but that two highly flammable substances, isopropyl alcohol and an unidentified pharmaceutical glaze, were found in the plant.
“We don’t suspect anything at this time,” Fire Capt. Roy Prince said. “It probably is some sort of a manufacturing problem.”
Prince said isopropyl alcohol could explode if bottled and heated, or that chemicals may have mixed in the air.
Assistant Fire Chief Ed Allen said the explosion occurred at the plant, owned by Northridge Laboratories, at 2:53 p.m., and that the plant caught fire immediately. The ceiling caved in as about 20 employees inside dashed for safety.
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