1 Killed In Mercer Co. Plant Explosion
MERCER COUNTY (KDKA/AP) -- A 10,000-gallon fuel oil tank has exploded at a western Pennsylvania industrial park and gone flying across a road, killing a worker who was welding nearby.
It happened around 5:45 p.m. Brownies Oil Company at Reynolds Industrial Park on Crestview Drive in Pymatuning Township.
A man in his 30s was killed in the explosion.
Transfer Volunteer Fire Department Chief Phil Steele confirms the man who died worked for the oil company and was welding nearby.
Officials say a tank holding off-road diesel fuel caught fire and exploded.
The tank landed in the yard of a neighbor after exploding and spilled 7,500 gallons of fuel, flooding the area.
"I didn't realize that was in my yard at that time, I called 911 and went flying out the door 'cause she was saying what was going on and stopped dead when I saw the tank sitting there," said the neighbor, "'cause that's like 30 feet from my kitchen."
Initial reports incorrectly stated that multiple people were injured in the blast.
DEP officials were also on the scene questioning oil company officials.
Stay with KDKA for more information.
RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Police News
(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
