Aug. 20--Authorities in Mercer County were investigating an industrial plant explosion that killed a New Castle man Monday afternoon.
The blast occurred around 5:30 p.m. at Brownies Oil Co., a division of Reed Oil Co., at Reynolds Industrial Park Road and Crestview Drive in Pymatuning. The industrial park is near Greenville, about 80 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
A 10,000-gallon fuel tank exploded, spilling 7,500 gallons of fuel, which was contained in a dike around the tank, Transfer fire Chief Phillip Steele said. The fuel started to consume itself, he said, but the fire department extinguished it quickly.
"The whole thing was probably over in 15 minutes," he said.
Propane tanks also on site weren't involved in the explosion, township police Chief Eric Baugher said.
The man who died was a self-employed contract welder who had done work at the plant before, the police chief said. His name was not being released this morning while family was notified.
Reed Oil Chief Financial Officer Mike Tappe said the company is working with authorities as they investigate what caused the explosion.
"At this point, we don't know what all transpired and what happened," he said.
No other injuries were reported, and it appears the man was the only person on site. Earlier reports of multiple injuries were incorrect.
The tank that exploded landed across Crestview, in the front yard of Mary Kress, 54, about 30 feet from her house.
She said she heard the explosion and could see a "ball of flames" rising into the air. The tank hit a pine tree, bounced and landed. Had it bounced again, she said, it would have hit her family's vehicles.
The state Department of Environmental Protection will aid in the investigation. A spokesman was not immediately available.
Molly Born: [email protected] or 412-263-1944 or on Twitter @borntolede.
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