NEWPORT,
Wash. --
Pend Oreille authorities have confirmed a piece of machinery or some chemicals exploded at the Zodiac Aerospace in Newport Tuesday night.
Officials said five people were hurt and one woman was so badly injured she was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.
On Wednesday morning, broken glass littered the area around the site of the explosion. Garage doors were blown out as well.
Crews on scene said the explosion happened around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday evening and did extensive damage to the building. Officials said 15 people were inside at the time of the explosion. They said doors and windows have been blown out.
Officials said there are chemical irritants leaking from the building. Crews said these chemicals pose no immediate threat to the public. They do urge people to stay at least 2,000 feet from the building. Nearby buildings have also been evacuated.
Hazmat crews were on the way as of 12:00 a.m. Wednesday. Officials said the investigation will not begin until they arrive.
Zodiac Aerospace develops on-board systems and equipment for the cabin interior of airplanes.
One
witness, Daryl Hahm, told KREM 2's Randy Shaw in a phone interview that
the explosion sounded like "six dynamite sticks" going off.
Pend Oreille authorities have confirmed a piece of machinery or some chemicals exploded at the Zodiac Aerospace in Newport Tuesday night.
Officials said five people were hurt and one woman was so badly injured she was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.
On Wednesday morning, broken glass littered the area around the site of the explosion. Garage doors were blown out as well.
Crews on scene said the explosion happened around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday evening and did extensive damage to the building. Officials said 15 people were inside at the time of the explosion. They said doors and windows have been blown out.
Officials said there are chemical irritants leaking from the building. Crews said these chemicals pose no immediate threat to the public. They do urge people to stay at least 2,000 feet from the building. Nearby buildings have also been evacuated.
Hazmat crews were on the way as of 12:00 a.m. Wednesday. Officials said the investigation will not begin until they arrive.
Zodiac Aerospace develops on-board systems and equipment for the cabin interior of airplanes.
Pend Oreille officials have confirmed a piece of machinery or some chemicals exploded at the Zodiac Aerospace in Newport.
KREM