Aug. 2--Fire officials are investigating an explosion at a Stamford water treatment plant Thursday night that injured three workers. The injuries were reported to be minor, the fire department said in a late-night tweet. The blast happened at the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority, 111 Harborview Ave., about 10:50 p.m.
Some roll-up garage doors and windows were damaged, Deputy Chief Tom Gloersen said. The explosion did not spark a fire.
According to Gloersen, firefighters responded to a call from 700 Canal St. who reported having heard what sounded like a large explosion. When they arrived, the firefighters were re-directed to the plant, where someone confirmed that a blast had caused damage there. Two injured workers were treated and taken to an area hospital.
A third worker later was transported when he said he, too, was injured, the deputy chief said. Officials at the plant said the blast may have been what's known as a "dust explosion," Gloersen said. A dust explosion occurs when dust is ignited, Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Tripodi said Friday.
Airborne dust can ignite easily because of its fine consistency and small surface area, he said.
"It's a major hazard," Tripodi said. He said he doesn't know what ignited the dust. The facility has a contingency plan for treating water in the event of plant failure, he said.
Christine Dempsey can be reached at [email protected].
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