Indiana GM explosion: Blast at GM plant kills 1, injures 5
| MARION, Ind.
A chemical聽explosion聽Tuesday at a General Motors metal-stamping plant in Indiana killed a contractor and injured several others, authorities said.
The blast killed James L. Gibson, 48, Grant County Coroner Stephen Dorsey said.
Marion General Hospital was treating five other people with non-life threatening injuries, hospital spokeswoman Ann Vermilion told the Marion Chronicle-Tribune. However,聽GM聽issued a statement saying four employees were under observation for non-life-threatening conditions at the hospital and that four others were transported there, but required no treatment.
"The situation is contained. Everybody has been evacuated,"聽GM聽spokeswoman Stephanie Jentgen said in a telephone interview.
The聽explosion聽involved a chlorine dioxide tank, and the chemical continued spilling out after the聽explosion, Marion Fire Chief Paul David said. A hazardous materials crew contained the spill, and firefighters were rinsing off the skin of everyone who may have come into contact with the chemical. If inhaled, the chemical can cause lung problems and can irritate the skin and eyes.
Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold went to the scene and talked with聽GM聽officials.
"This is heartbreaking for our community," Seybold said.
The聽GM聽statement said third-shift employees were expected to report to work at their normal times.
"The safety of our employees is very important to us and an investigation of the incident is under way. Counselors have been deployed to the site and we will provide other employee services as needed," the statement said.
The plant about 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis employs about 1,600 workers and provides blanks, stampings and sheet metal assembly for vehicles to聽GM聽assembly plants across North America, according to GM's website.
WRTV-TV reported that the Indiana Department of Labor cited the plant in December 2009 for a single serious safety violation. The plant paid a penalty of $845 and completed an abatement requirement. The plant has not had any violations since.
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