Work Light, Vapors Cause Explosion
An explosion that critically injured two workers at a water treatment facility was caused by a work light inside a tank, according to Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams. Williams said the case has been forwarded to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, who will also conduct an investigation. "Investigators determined that that the explosion occurred when flammable paint vapors accumulated inside the tank while one worker was inside spray painting the interior of the tank," Williams said.
Investigators, led by Kevin Bates, determined that a substandard work light ignited the vapors, causing a flash fire, he said. "The second worker was outside near the entry hole into the tank and was also severely burned," Williams said. Both men were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston's Texas Medical Center by air ambulance. Their identities remain unreleased, preventing the hospital's media representatives from being able to provide updates on their conditions. Both men, ages 42 and 53, had burns over 90 percent of their bodies, according to medics on the scene of the blast.According to Williams, the tank the men were working on had been sandblasted and the men had apparently begun to paint it on the inside when the explosion occurred. He noted the explosion did not cause a release of harmful vapors into the air. Initially, a shelter in place order was issued, because first responders had no way of knowing what caused the explosion or whether anything remained in the air. Although it was soon determined no harmful chemicals were escaping, the area was secured until the patients were airlifted and the water treatment plant was secured
Investigators, led by Kevin Bates, determined that a substandard work light ignited the vapors, causing a flash fire, he said. "The second worker was outside near the entry hole into the tank and was also severely burned," Williams said. Both men were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston's Texas Medical Center by air ambulance. Their identities remain unreleased, preventing the hospital's media representatives from being able to provide updates on their conditions. Both men, ages 42 and 53, had burns over 90 percent of their bodies, according to medics on the scene of the blast.According to Williams, the tank the men were working on had been sandblasted and the men had apparently begun to paint it on the inside when the explosion occurred. He noted the explosion did not cause a release of harmful vapors into the air. Initially, a shelter in place order was issued, because first responders had no way of knowing what caused the explosion or whether anything remained in the air. Although it was soon determined no harmful chemicals were escaping, the area was secured until the patients were airlifted and the water treatment plant was secured
