Fire at Michigan welding company, 1 hospitalized

Tank bursts at Marysville, Mich. welding plant causing massive fire; 1 person hospitalized

• By David N. Goodman, Associated Press Writer
• On 2:15 pm EST, Monday November 2, 2009

MARYSVILLE, Mich. (AP) -- Multiple explosions rocked a Michigan welding supply plant after a settling tank burst into flames on Monday, sending at least one person to the hospital and prompting several nearby homes and businesses to evacuate, authorities said.

An employee at the plant in Marysville, about 50 miles northeast of Detroit, was removing a valve from a settling tank when it exploded, said the town's police chief, Tim Buelow.

Thick plumes of black smoke were visible for miles after the first explosion, which rattled windows in nearby downtown Port Huron. The initial blast was quickly followed by several secondary explosions and reports of flying shrapnel.

The fire, which caused the plant's roof to collapse, raged for about two hours before firefighters were able to bring it under control, Buelow said.

After the initial explosion, the employee walked out of the building and was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Buelow said. All other employees at South Park Welding Supplies LLC were accounted for and no other injuries were reported, he said.

Some nearby residents were told to evacuate their homes and businesses, while authorities told others to stay inside because of the potential for airborne chemicals.

Chris Perry, 50, a laid-off shipping clerk whose rental home is about four blocks from the plant, said he thought the explosion was caused by nearby construction workers.

"I'm just sitting there watching the morning news, drinking my coffee. Then, a couple of booms," Perry said. "It sounded like it was right there."

A St. Clair County hazardous materials team was gathering at a DTE Energy Co. facility near the plant and were preparing to enter the area.

Associated Press Writer David Aguilar in Detroit contributed to this report.

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