Chemical Fire and Explosion Injures West Virginia Workers

LETART, W.Va. – Authorities are investigating a chemical fire and explosion that occurred in a large trash bin at a Mason County alloy plant.

Four workers suffered injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening, and emergency officials say they were taken to Pleasant Valley Hospital in Point Pleasant for treatment.

The accident happened Wednesday afternoon at the Felman Production facility between Letart and New Haven.

Plant manager John Konrady says those injured were trying to douse the fire.

He says some as-yet unidentified chemicals were put into the trash bin, then exploded.

The plant makes a steel oxidizer and alloy additive called ferrosilicomanganese.

The state Department of Environmental Protection sent a hazardous material team to the site.

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