Oct. 25--Six workers were injured in an explosion at a Chattanooga business this morning.
The fire happened at a foundry named Designed Alloy Products in south Chattanooga around 7:30 a.m.
Eyewitnesses were startled by how loud the explosion was, and could see smoke and sparks coming from the top of the warehouse, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Fire Department.
Captain Randy Steele said in a news release the fire was located around a large furnace. Workers at the plant advised firefighters not to put water on the furnace, because it could make the situation worse. Instead, the firefighters used several dry powder extinguishers on the furnace and hand-held hoselines to put water on the fires around the furnace.
It took roughly 25 minutes to get the blaze under control.
Six employees were injured. Three suffered from smoke inhalation, and were treated on the scene. The other three were taken to a hospital.
Lt. Scott Powell with EMS said in a news release two of the victims had relatively minor burns, but one was more seriously injured. Doctors reportedly said that victim had 2nd and 3rd degree burns to approximately 15 percent of his body. He is expected to be transported to a burn unit in the region. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Designed Alloy Products is a scrap recycler that makes certified ingots.
A worker at the plant told firefighters they were using the furnace to melt stainless steel, and the temperatures reach roughly 3,000 degrees. An estimate on the damage from the explosion and fire was not available.
Copyright 2013 - Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.
