Friends, family ID victim in Nash County plant explosion
November 25, 2017
Middlesex, N.C. — A sole worker died Friday after an explosion at a manufacturer of wastewater treatment chemicals in Nash County, the Middlesex chief of police said.
A fire tank exploded at Pencco, Inc., on U.S. Highway 264-A in Middlesex, at around 9:30 a.m., according to the fire marshal.
Pencco’s North Carolina manufacturing facility is located in Middlesex, just west of Raleigh. Each of the manufacturing locations produce water and wastewater treatment chemicals and are also complemented by a large distribution network of rail cars and tanker trucks.
Police have not identified the victim, but friends and family have identified him as Dale Bachman.
Police, firefighters and hazardous materials personnel responded to the incident. By late afternoon they still had not determined the cause of the deadly accident.
"There's a family that's suffering today – the day after Thanksgiving – and we want to remember them, that's the main thing," said Lee Waddell, who was working nearby.
Terry Munson said he was startled when the explosion happened. He lives a quarter of a mile from the plant.
"I was in the living room watching television, and I heard a big bang," he said. "It blew the door open a little bit."
"A lot of people around here know Dale," Munson said. "Real outgoing guy and the nicest fellow you ever want to meet."
The explosion could be heard and felt in communities from Zebulon to Spring Hope to Bailey, and people chimed in on Facebook to wonder what caused it.
Waddell did more than hear and feel the explosion. From where he was working nearby, he could see the smoke plume.
"We actually thought something was wrong with our building because the whole roof shook," he said. "We all ducked down, looked at each other and ran out."
Pencco's corporate offices are in Texas. The company also has a location in California.
Bachman was a regular at Rossa's grill, known affectionately as Mr. Dale.
"Sometimes there would be people in here, they wouldn't have enough money for their food," employee Dee Dee Wilson said. "Mr. Dale would sit right there in that corner and wave and say 'I've got it.'"
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has taken over the investigation.
"I feel sorry for his family and everything like that," Munson said. "A whole lot of people in this town lost a good friend." The Middlesex police chief told WRAL they expect to have more information on what caused the explosion early next week.
Here is the release from Nash County Sheriff's Office
Explosion at Pencco, Inc in Middlesex, NC
Middlesex Police Department, the primary agency, with the assistance of the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, are currently at the scene of a tank explosion at Pencco, Inc., located at 10143 U.S. Highway 264-A, Middlesex, NC.
There is no immediate information concerning any possible injuries. Emergency and HazMat personnel are responding to assess the incident.
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At Pencco, we are committed to performing at the highest level so our customers can do the same. From our manufacturing facilities and extensive distribution network to our world-class engineers and sales professionals, Pencco is not just meeting the highest standards, but setting them.We specialize in water treatment chemistries for various applications. Our water treatment chemicals include innovative, unique solutions for each customer’s specific needs. We are dedicated to providing personalized service and reliable water treatment chemicals, based upon traditional values of integrity and trust.
A History in Water and Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
For over 30 years, Pencco has provided odor control chemicals for wastewater collections systems ranging from wastewater treatment chemicals, to full service applications. Pencco employs experienced engineers from across the industry that are equipped to come alongside a client and craft a unique approach to meet the customer’s needs. Major municipalities such as Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles benefit from our products and services. Choose Pencco for knowledgeable experts in water and wastewater treatment chemicals and services that will provide proven results.We offer solutions in the following areas, dependent on your application:
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