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.
//______________________________________________//
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.
//__________________________________________//
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.
//______________________________________________//
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.