Sugar Refinery Had Small Explosion Before Deadly Blast
Save Email Print
Sugar Refinery Had Small Explosion Before Deadly Blast
There was a small explosion in a Georgia sugar refinery weeks before the powerful blast that killed nine workers.
Font Size:

(February 18, 2008)--Sugar dust in safety equipment caused a small explosion at an Imperial Sugar refinery near Savannah, Ga. weeks before a similar but bigger blast killed nine workers there.

That's the finding of a federal investigator working the deadly Feb. 7 blast at the Port Wentworth, Ga. plant.

In that explosion, sugar dust beneath the plant's storage silos ignited.

Stephen Selk is investigations manager for the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

He says he had few details about the previous explosion and couldn't say whether the earlier blast contributed to the Feb. 7 blast.

Selk told reporters that no one was injured in the earlier explosion.

The Chemical Safety Board investigates industrial accidents for the federal government and makes safety recommendations to industry and trade groups as well as federal regulators.

It has just begun looking into the refinery blast after criminal investigators determined Friday the explosion was accidental, caused by clouds of tiny sugar dust particles that, when airborne in confined spaces, can ignite like gunpowder.

Imperial Sugar is based in Sugar Land, Texas.
More Stories
Video
13 Confirmed Dead, 30 Injured In Ft. Hood Shooting
309 Comments
Local Woman Claimed She Had Cancer To Get Money For Breast Implants
128 Comments
Community Rallies In Support Of Animal Shelter After Deadly Fire
70 Comments
Apartment Complex Where Suspected Gunman Lived Evacuated
62 Comments
Jury Acquits Local Paramedic Accused Of Fondling Female Patient
60 Comments
Central Texas Boy Suffers Head, Face, Eye Injuries In Dog Attack
59 Comments
KWTX.com Features
Double Dollar Deals
Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am.
Boss of the Month
Who is Central Texas’ best boss? Nominate your supervisor for Boss of the Month!
Golden Apple
Your chance to nominate an outstanding teacher. Find out how they are making a difference in classrooms.
Emily Wants to Know
Emily Matthews' inquisitive look at life in Central Texas.
Army Way
Learn all about the symbols, traditions, and customs of the US Army.
Job of the Week
Click now to see hundreds of other jobs on Job Board TV!


Emergency Room Nurse - Join Metroplex Health System in Killeen as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department. Metroplex offers a very competitive hourly wage, comprehensive health coverage and retirement plans. A new pay scale went in to effect in October 09! Join Metroplex in extending the healing ministry of Christ.

Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.
AP Video