Friday, February 6, 2015

ONE DEAD, FOUR INJURED IN EXPLOSION AT OWENS CROSS ROADS FIREWORKS MANUFACTURING BUSINESS IN ALABAMA. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PAST EXPLOSIONS/FIRES THERE.




 ONE DEAD, FOUR INJURED IN EXPLOSION AT OWENS CROSS ROADS FIREWORKS MANUFACTURING BUSINESS IN ALABAMA.   THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PAST EXPLOSIONS/FIRES THERE.






UPDATE
OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. (WAAY) - Two people died and others were injured in an explosion at an Owens Cross Roads business Friday morning.

Madison County Sheriff's Office officials said Friday afternoon in a 3 p.m. news conference that a second person had died as a result of the explosion at Ultratec.

The explosion happened around 11:30 a.m. at the fireworks manufacturer on Richard Brannum Drive. One other person was critically injured, and three others had minor injuries, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

One of the victims was taken to the burn center at UAB Hospital for treatment.
The identities of the deceased have not been released.

A state fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the scene, sources said. A hazardous materials team was on the scene conducting air quality and environmental tests.

The business has had accidents in the past. In 1999 there was an explosion that injured three people, one of whom later died. 


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February 6, 2015

OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. (WAAY) - One person was killed and four people were injured in an explosion at an Owens Cross Roads business.

The explosion happened around 11:30 a.m. at Luna Tech on Richard Brannum Drive. At least two people suffered burn injuries, a source told WAAY 31.

Multiple ambulances and helicopters were called out to the scene.

A state fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to the scene, sources said. 

The business has had accidents in the past. In 1999 there was an explosion that injured three people, one of whom later died.   Explosions and fire also occurred in 2010 and in 2013.  Some of that history is provided below.  


WAAY has a crew on the scene and is gathering information.


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A FIRE CAUSED BY EXPLODING FIREWORKS CAUSED HEAVY DAMAGE TO A PYROTECHNICS MANUFACTURING BUILDING


November 21, 2013 at 11:15 AM

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- A fire caused by exploding fireworks caused heavy damage to a pyrotechnics manufacturing building shortly after 9 a.m. today on Moon Drive in Owens Cross Roads, firefighters said. The building is owned by Ultratec Special Effects, according to a sign in front of the business.

Luna Tech, a pyrotechnics company at the same address, was the scene of at least four previous fires and explosions in the late 1990s and early 2000s. A security guard at the site today said Ultratech is a different company. Several Luna Tech employees were seriously injured in past fires, and one died from burns received in a 1999 fire. No one was injured in the fire today, the security guard said.

The guard said fires are an ongoing hazard in the business and safety procedures are in place to deal with them. Firefighters were called to another fire there in 2010.

Luna Tech had a history as one of the country's best-known pyrotechnic companies, producing stage effects for major touring rock acts such as Aerosmith and Michael Jackson. Founder Tom DeWille was himself seriously injured in a fire in 2000.


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FIRE AT FIREWORKS MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN OWENS CROSS ROADS

August 02, 2010 at 10:34 PM

OWENS CROSS ROADS, AL. - Firefighters from Owens Cross Roads, New Hope and at least one other department responded to a blaze at a fireworks manufacturing facility Monday night.

Firefighters were called to Ultre-tech Special Effects on Moon Drive shortly after 9 p.m. 

County fire officials say the facility was formerly known as Luna-tech.

One building was heavily engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

Authorities say the building apparently did not have any fireworks or explosives inside because no explosions were reported.

Two Madison County fire investigators are on the scene and will begin work to determine the cause of the blaze once the scene is cool enough to allow them to safely enter the remains of the building.

No injuries have been reported.