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| Jake Jennings, 39, was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital |
OSHA Cites Dealership in Fatal Fire
OSHA inspectors determined the employees were using a flammable brake wash to scrub the service pit floor when the fire occurred. As a result, three employees died, a fourth was critically burned, and a fifth employee was treated for smoke inhalation and released.
Dec 14, 2017
OSHA announced it has cited and fined Carl Cannon Inc., an automobile dealership, after investigating a flash fire in June 2017 that killed three employees and critically injured a fourth worker at its Jasper, Ala., facility.
OSHA inspectors determined the employees were using a flammable brake wash to scrub the service pit floor when the fire occurred. As a result, three employees died, a fourth was critically burned, and a fifth employee was treated for smoke inhalation and released. The agency issued one willful and two serious safety citations for failing to implement all elements of a chemical hazard communication program, improper storage of flammable liquids, and allowing unapproved electrical receptacles and equipment to be used in a hazardous area. Proposed penalties totaled $152,099.
"Failure to effectively implement a hazard communication program has tragically resulted in the loss of lives and serious injuries," said OSHA Area Director Ramona Morris in Birmingham, Ala. "Employers must ensure employees are trained and aware of the hazards associated with handling flammable chemicals."
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Flash fire, not explosion, killed 1, critically wounded 3 at Jasper car dealership; probe ongoing
Updated Jun 13, 2017; Posted Jun 13, 2017
1.6k shares
By Carol Robinson
crobinson@al.com
The investigation continued Tuesday into an accident at a Jasper car dealership that killed one man and injured four others.
Jake Jennings, 39, was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital at 1:45 p.m., said Walker County Coroner Joey Vick. His body will be sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy, but authorities believe his injury caused his death.
Though the incident was initially described as an explosion, Alabama State Fire Marshal Scott Pilgreen said Tuesday that it is better characterized as a flash fire, not an explosion. A flash fire is a sudden, intense fire caused by ignition of a mixture of air and a dispersed flammable substance such as a solid, flammable or combustible liquid, or a flammable gas.
"The sound and effects of a flash fire can mimic an explosion, but I don't know if explosion is the term I would use,'' Pilgreen said.
The flash fire happened just before 5:30 p.m. Monday at Carl Cannon Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC at 299 Carl Cannon Boulevard. All five of the injured were employees. Four of the injured were in critical condition and were taken to UAB Hospital. The fifth was taken to Walker Baptist Medical Center with minor injuries.
Jasper police said Monday the fire happened at the customer service center. The state fire marshal's office responded to the scene, as well as Jasper fire and the Walker County Emergency Management Agency.
Authorities have not released the names of the injured. Jasper police on Tuesday referred all questions to Pilgreen
Efforts to reach officials at the car dealership have been unsuccessful, but said on Facebook Monday night that the business has received an outpouring of support.
Pilgreen said two of his investigators are working with authorities in Jasper. He said they are not at a point where they can say what sparked the flash fire. There was no structural damage.
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5 employees injured after explosion at Jasper car dealership
Updated Jun 13, 2017; Posted Jun 12, 2017
Authorities investigate explosion that injured five at a Carl Cannon Chevrolet, a car dealership in Jasper, on Monday, June 12, 2017. (Jonece Starr Dunigan) By Jonece Starr Dunigan
jdunigan@al.com
Authorities said five people have been injured after an unknown explosion occurred at a Jasper car dealership Monday afternoon.
Jasper police Lt. David Mize said multiple authorities responded to the scene at Carl Cannon Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC at 299 Carl Cannon Boulevard. All five of the injured were employees.
Four of the injured are in critical condition and were taken to UAB Hospital. The fifth was taken to Walker Baptist Medical Center with minor injuries. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
Mize said the explosion happened at the customer service center. The state fire marshal is on scene to investigate the cause of the explosion. Jasper fire and Walker County Emergency Management Agency is also investigating the incident.
The identities of those who are injured have not been released. The dealership said on Facebook it has received an outpouring of encouragement since the incident happened around 5:20 p.m.
Jasper Mayor David O'Mary said he came to the scene as soon as he heard about the explosion. He said city officials are willing to help any of the injured as much as they can. He has talked to the general manager of the dealership, who is "carrying a heavy burden right now," he said.
"I call on this community to lift up a prayer for those are who injured," O'Mary said. "Lift up a prayer for the families as they work through this trying time of uncertainty about their loves ones."
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Fundraiser scheduled for Carbon Hill flash fire victims, Zack Davis and Jonah Johnson
CARBON HILL, Ala. (WIAT) – A Motorcycle Ride and Cruz-In to raise money for Jonah Johnson and Zack Davis has been scheduled for June 24 at 10:00 AM in Carbon Hill. Johnson and Davis were among the five employees who were injured in a flash fire at a car dealership in Jasper where they work. Jake Jennings, 39, passed away Tuesday at UAB Hospital.
According to locals, Johnson and Davis have been a part of the Carbon Hill community for their entire lives. “They’re just outgoing, good people,” said Wade Clark, a family friend and one of the people organizing the fundraising event. “Everybody just knows them, and everybody more or less would take them in just like their own family.”
Clark described Johnson and Davis as athletic, home-town guys. He said that they had spent the night at his home over the years for hunting and fishing trips. He had also coached them in some athletic leagues. “These people who are praying–just keep those prayers coming,” he said. “They’re working and the families know what’s going on. They’re seeing those things on Facebook. Just keep them coming.”
Leading up to the fundraiser on June 24th, people can make donations for the auction that will be hosted at the event. Clark said they’ve already heard from at least 50 people who have been interested in donating. Those items can be dropped off at Carbon Hill City Hall. The car dealership in Jasper, Carl Cannon Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC is also taking donations.
Clark is also encouraging anyone interested in donating to consider assisting the Johnson and Davis families–who have been camped out near the hospital since the men were admitted.
Donate to Zach Davis and his family online at : https://www.gofundme.com/sje39-zack-davis-and-family
There has been an account set up for Jonah Johnson and his fiance at Bank of Carbon Hill.