MARCH 16, 2015
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MARCH 11, 2015
BRENT, Ala. (WIAT) —
State fire marshal Ed Paulk says his crew has narrowed down
the cause of the Brent Industries explosion enough to call it an “industrial
accident.” Paulk says there is still a lot of work to be done.
Paulk says they have found a specific piece of equipment
that is to blame for the explosion. To further their investigation, they will
be working with mechanics that specialize in the particular piece of equipment
to help determine what may have caused the blast.
Once all interested parties can get together, Paulk says
they will recreate the explosion in a controlled environment to test their
hypothesis. This process is expected to take a few weeks. The investigation was
delayed last week while investigators waited for the scene to cool off.
On Monday, a memorial service and burial was held for the
man who died in the blast, Keith Leverette. While family and friends cope with
their loss, they say they are grateful that investigators are making strides to
determine the cause of the explosion.
“We have to have patience. We have to let the people that do
the investigation do their job. That’s not our lane. I feel like this
investigation is going to take more than two or three days. The place is a
total disaster so when they are finished, the truth will come out,” said
Leverette’s brother, Charles.
Representatives with Brent Industries attended the memorial
service but declined to give any comment.
Brent Industries, located on South Scottsville Road since
1977, employs about 30 people. It handles the manufacturing and reconditioning
of wiping materials, safety wear, absorbents and filtration materials,
according to the company’s website.
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MARCH 11, 2015
BRENT, AL (WBRC)
A spokesperson for the Bibb County Sheriff's Office confirms
an explosion at a business in Brent.
Authorities said the explosion happened around 1:55
p.m. at Brent Industries at 695 South Scottsville Road off of Highway 5. Bibb County EMA Director Wayne Hayes said four
fire departments have responded. He does not have an injury report at this
time but said one person is unaccounted for.
Two people at nearby businesses reported to us that they see
a lot of black smoke. One person at the post office reports the windows rattled
at the time of the explosion.
The cause of the blast is unknown at this time.
Firefighters are being kept a safe distance away from the
fire due to the possibility of more explosions.
Source: www.myfoxal.com