Two welders critically injured after an explosion at the Metal-Matic building in Minneapolis when a pipe welding torch ignited an aluminum dust and water mixture

Fire Officials say Explosion at Metal-Matic Caused by Pipe Welding Torch





September 20, 2018

The Minneapolis Fire Department said an explosion at a commercial building in Minneapolis Thursday occurred when a pipe welding torch ignited an aluminum dust and water mixture..

Fire crews responded to an explosion at Metal-Matic at 629 Second Street Southeast around 2:45 p.m. Thursday.


Two employees were hospitalized with significant injuries. The explosion caused a small fire that crews quickly extinguished.



=================================




Aaron Lavinsky – Star Tribune


Gallery: The Minneapolis Fire Department responded to an explosion and fire Wednesday at Metal-Matic in Minneapolis.



An explosion and fire Wednesday afternoon at a metal fabrication plant in Minneapolis badly injured two workers, authorities said.

The blaze occurred at Metal-Matic, 629 SE. 2nd St. SE., across the Mississippi River from downtown.

The two employees were taken to a hospital with serious burns and other injuries, said Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Tyner.
Tyner said the blast and fire are believed to have occurred in one of two dust collectors.

Robert Vignalo, a worker who was waiting for his shift to start, said the explosion occurred in a shed and happened near the end of the plant’s first shift and while other employees waited in their vehicles for the next shift to start.

“Things were raining down on our cars,” he said. “I ran inside because I have friends inside.”



AARON LAVINSKY • Star Tribune
The Minneapolis Fire Department responded to an explosion and fire Wednesday at Metal-Matic in Minneapolis.


He said the area was immediately smoky, and a supervisor asked if anyone wanted to go home, but Vignalo waited to see if he could go back inside and help clean up the mess.

A photo from Minneapolis Scanner, a Facebook page that tracks police and fire transmissions, showed a substantial amount of smoke coming from the building. By about 3:45 p.m., the blaze was under control.

“I heard a loud banging noise that shook my entire apartment building,” said Drue McLean, who lives directly behind the building. “Shortly after, I saw clouds of smoke through my window. When I went outside, black smoke was coming out of the Metal-Matic building.”

CenterPoint Energy shut off the natural gas flow to the building, said utility spokeswoman Becca Virden, who added that the incident “is not natural-gas-related.”

Founded in 1951, Metal-Matic produces tubing for various applications such as automotive, appliance and construction. It has two other locations, Bedford Park in suburban Chicago, and Middletown, north of Cincinnati.

I-77 Mobility Partners has been slapped with a $3.2 million fine by NCDOT following a dump truck wreck that occurred in the I-77 construction zone, shutting down the interstate for most of the day

September 20, 2018

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) -

I-77 Mobility Partners has been slapped with a $3.2 million fine by NCDOT following a dump truck wreck that occurred in the I-77 construction zone, shutting down the interstate for most of the day.

The crash happened on I-77 northbound at mile marker 12 on August 29, 2018.

A dump truck working on the interstate struck the falsework for the future cap of Bridge 110W around 11 a.m. that morning. The operator had just dumped his load near LaSalle Street and drove north on I-77 with his bed raised until he struck the falsework.

The wreck forced all northbound lanes to be closed until the area was safe to pass traffic under the damaged structure. That closure remained in place until about 6:50 p.m. that day.

According to NCDOT, August's closure is in violation of permitted road closure times as described in Section 22.1 of the Contract Technical Provisions, which restricts interstate road closures to between the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Sunday.

"As a result of this violation and in accordance with Section 17.4.3. of the Comprehensive Agreement, NCDOT will withhold $3.2 million in liquidated damages on the next partial pay estimate or subsequent payments until the amount can be fully withheld," NCDOT said in a written statement.

3 injured, dozens of families displaced during the massive fire at the three-story wood-framed building at Chandlers Lane Condominiums in Olmsted Falls, Ohio

3 injured in Olmsted Falls condominium fire, multiple departments investigating
Darcie Loreno and Natasha Anderson

September 20, 2018


OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- 

The massive fire that heavily damaged a 48-unit housing complex is under investigation.

Olmsted Falls Mayor James Graven said that 911 dispatchers received a call at 10:32 a.m. Thursday from a woman indicating her unit had caught on fire at Chandlers Lane Condominiums located in Sprague Road and Chandlers Lane area.

The call then disconnected, according to the mayor.

When firefighters arrived on scene the building was reportedly engulfed in flames.

Witnesses told Fox 8's Matt Wright they heard an explosion shortly before the fire.

The mayor said that crews from Olmsted Falls and the surrounding areas responded to the fire.

One resident and two firefighters required medical treatment. Mayor Graven did not reveal the condition of these individuals, however he said that the firefighters sustained their injuries while fighting the fire.

According to Mayor Graven, the Olmsted Falls Fire Department, the Ohio Fire Marshal's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the fire.

This is a developing story. We will have more updates as they become available.

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September 20, 2018

OLMSTED FALLS, OH --

A fire broke out Thursday morning at the Chandlers Lane Condominiums, injuring one resident and two firefighters, Olmsted Falls Mayor James Patrick Graven said.

A resident of the sprawling complex called 911 around 10:30 a.m. to report that her condo was on fire, Graven said at a Thursday afternoon press conference. She hung up and ran out of the unit.

Olmsted Falls police arrived around 10:40 a.m. and reported heavy fire coming from the third floor, Graven said.

Firefighters conducted a primary search and declared an "all clear" on the building, Graven said, adding that firefighters performed a second sweep as they continued to battle the blaze.

All crews were ordered to evacuate the building around 11:20 a.m.
Crews from the nearby communities of Olmsted Township, Brook Park, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville, Rocky River, Westlake, Brooklyn, Fairview Park, Strongsville, Berea, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Brunswick aided in Thursday's effort, according to Graven.

"Berea police did a great job; I want to thank them," Graven said. "They handled our city for a while when our units were at the fire."

Graven also said he made calls to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the State Fire Marshall, Red Cross, Olmsted Community Emergency Response Team and Southwest General Medical Center, who sent three nurses to City Hall for the victims.

Olmsted Falls police took a woman who lived in one of the units to Southwest General Medical Center for treatment of injuries she suffered in the fire, Graven said. The extent of her injuries is not known.

Two firefighters were also hurt and brought to University Hospitals St. John Medical Center in Westlake, Graven said.

The three-story wood-framed building is comprised of 48 units. Workers cut off natural gas service to the compound around 2 p.m., Graven said.

Olmsted Falls City Hall established a relief center for victims and residents to get water, food and shelter on Thursday, which was a hot, sunny day interrupted by a burst of afternoon rain.

Chandlers Lane Condominiums are pet-friendly and many of the residents have pets, said Luis Castro who lives with his wife on the second floor.

The couple, wearing only the clothes they had on when they evacuated, attended the press conference in hopes of learning when they could retrieve their belongings, to no avail.

A room in City Hall housed several dogs that were rescued.

The Castro family has been planning Luis' 70th birthday party which is in two weeks, so their condo was filled with irreplaceable items, like family photos and memorabilia.
"Just material items," Luis said, thankful that no one in his family was hurt, including his 2-year-old granddaughter who was visiting.

"There has been an outpouring of support from our entire community and I want to thank all of my fellow citizens in Olmsted Falls, and also thank all of the people who live in our surrounding communities," Graven said.

"If anyone wants to help out, please call the Red Cross," he said.

Jim McIntyre, regional communications officer for the American Red Cross, told cleveland.com Thursday evening that they have spoken with four families who are in need of help - but they expect that number to rise.

"We are going to offer direct client assistance, meaning financial assistance for their immediate needs," McIntyre said.

Those families will also receive a comfort kit which includes toiletries and other supplies, and the Red Cross will follow up with them in the coming weeks and months to make sure they're connected to housing resources, he said.

"Tomorrow we are anticipating hearing from many more residents, and will assess their needs, and offer them the same services," McIntyre said.

Despite the dozens of families displaced by the fire, the Red Cross said there was no immediate need to set up shelters.

"We haven't had any requests for lodging assistance so the majority of the people, we're assuming, have family or friends, or have insurance that will give them the funds to stay in a hotel," McIntyre said.

The cause and origin of the fire is currently under investigation.

Soldiers were ill-equiped because they underestimated the overall avalanche risk and overestimated their ability to mitigate conditions in U.S. Army mountain-wartime training near Easy Gully in Smugglers Notch in Cambridge, VT

  In this still image from video provided by WCAX-TV Channel 3, a U.S. Army soldier is evacuated on a stretcher, right, following an avalanche Wednesday, March 14, 2018, after participating in U.S. Army mountain-wartime training near Easy Gully in Smugglers Notch, a narrow pass at the edge of Mount Mansfield, in Cambridge, Vt. (WCAX-TV Channel 3 via AP) 

 Army Report Blames Overconfidence for Training Avalanche


       were ill-equipped


The Associated Press 20 Sep 2018

BURLINGTON, Vt. — 

A U.S. Army accident report suggests overconfidence was a factor when Vermont soldiers were hit by an avalanche during a training exercise.

The Burlington Free Press reported Wednesday an instructor in the heavily redacted report said soldiers underestimated the overall avalanche risk and overestimated their ability to mitigate conditions.

Six soldiers were climbing Smugglers Notch in Jeffersonville in March when the snow gave way. Five of the soldiers were hospitalized for their injuries.

The soldiers were part of a training program in the Army's Mountain Warfare School run by the Vermont National Guard.

The report shows mountain school officials skipped a morning safety meeting the day of the avalanche, and no one in the squad had a beacon, shovel or probe.

The "Findings and Recommendations" section was redacted from the report.

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6 US Soldiers in Mountain Warfare Training Hit by Avalanche

     

  In this still image from video provided by WCAX-TV Channel 3, a U.S. Army soldier is evacuated on a stretcher, right, following an avalanche Wednesday, March 14, 2018, after participating in U.S. Army mountain-wartime training near Easy Gully in Smugglers Notch, a narrow pass at the edge of Mount Mansfield, in Cambridge, Vt. (WCAX-TV Channel 3 via AP)
The Associated Press 14 Mar 2018

CAMBRIDGE, Vt. — 

An avalanche hit six Army soldiers undergoing mountain-warfare training near Vermont's highest peak Wednesday, sending five to the hospital.

Rescuers worked to evacuate the six soldiers training at Smugglers Notch, a narrow pass at the northern edge of Mount Mansfield. The base of the notch is surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides.


Five soldiers were taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The sixth soldier returned to duty.

There is no word on what triggered the avalanche that hit about 1 p.m. The soldiers were brought down the mountain to waiting ambulances. A photo posted by WCAX-TV shows one soldier on a stretcher.

Smugglers Notch separates Stowe from Cambridge. The Stowe ski resort is on one side and Smugglers' Notch ski resort is on the other.

The Vermont Department of Public Safety said recent storms have created "extremely unstable conditions in steep terrain."

The U.S. Army's Mountain Warfare school is run by the Vermont National Guard. The Army website says the school provides tactical and technical training for mountain warfare and cold weather operations.

It's unclear what the soldiers were doing when the avalanche hit. But soldiers who take the winter training course, based at the Ethan Allen Training Center in Jericho, practice ice climbing in the notch as well as other cold-weather activities.

OSHA cited Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club – located in Gahanna, Ohio – for failing to protect employees from rollover hazards after club employee Dwain Starks, 52, suffered fatal injuries when the lawnmower he was operating tipped over

OSHA inspectors determined Rocky Fort Hunt and Country Club did not have a roll bar installed on the mower

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Country Club for Safety Hazards


GAHANNA, OH – 

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club – located in Gahanna, Ohio – for failing to protect employees from rollover hazards after a worker suffered fatal injuries when the lawnmower he was operating tipped over.

OSHA inspectors determined Rocky Fort Hunt and Country Club did not have a roll bar installed on the mower; exposed workers to chemical hazards; and failed to develop and implement an emergency action plan, maintain accurate injury and illness records; and report the fatality as required. The company faces proposed penalties of $25,869.

"Employers have a legal obligation to report fatalities to OSHA within eight hours. A workplace free of hazards is a requirement, not an option," said OSHA Columbus Area Office Director Larry Johnson. "When equipment is operated on a slope or embankment, rollover protection must be installed."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to help ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov. 

Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club

Founded in 1925, Rocky Fork is a true "country" club located on 175 scenic acres of landscaped grounds, dense forest, hills and fields along Rocky Fork Creek. Our clubhouse, in the style of an English country home, terrace and pool sit on a high ridge with a commanding view of the property.

We are known for outstanding food and service. The intimate atmosphere of the Clubhouse and natural beauty of the grounds provide a unique setting for private entertaining, Club social events, and casual and formal dining.

Membership is by invitation.

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By Danae King
The Columbus Dispatch



June 9, 2018


Authorities have identified Dwain Starks, 52, as the victim who died after the riding lawn mower he was using went into a pond at Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club Friday afternoon.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Mifflin Township Division of Fire received a call that a riding lawn mower was in the water at the Gahanna-area private sports club, at 5189 Clark State Rd.

Divers pulled Stark, of Columbus, from the water and he was taken in critical condition to OhioHealth Grant Medical, where he was later pronounced dead. Stark was an employee of the club.

The incident is still under investigation.






The family has set up a GoFundMe for funeral expenses and to take care of his 18-year-old daughter: https://www.gofundme.com/dwain-starks.
(Courtesy: Starks Family)

Dwain's father, Thomas Starks, says “Dwain’s daughter just graduated high school three weeks ago and we had a birthday party for her in April when she turned 18.”


He added that he would miss Dwain’s weekly phone calls.

Friends and family agree that what will be missed most is Dwain’s smile.

His girlfriend, Trina J. Johnson said it was what reeled her in, “There was something about his smile.”

Diesel fuel leaking from the locomotives into the Metishto River after a Hudson Bay Railway train derailed in northern Manitoba that left one railway worker dead and another injured. The train went off the tracks on a washed-out trestle bridge in a swampy area south of Thompson

BLAME THE HAIR FOR THE DICK BEING TOO SHORT.
Railroad and safety board member claim that poor and defenseless Beavers may have caused fatal train derailment in Manitoba .  How about heavy water flows and lack of proper inspection of the raillines being the cause of the derailment?

THOMPSON, Man. — A Transportation Safety Board investigator says beavers may have contributed to the train derailment in northern Manitoba that left one railway worker dead and another injured.
a day ago by: Canadian Press
Updated a day ago


THOMPSON, Man. — A Transportation Safety Board investigator says beavers may have contributed to the train derailment in northern Manitoba that left one railway worker dead and another injured.

The train went off the tracks on a washed-out trestle bridge in a swampy area south of Thompson on Saturday evening.

Jerry Berriault, the board's regional senior investigator, says the train was traveling around 40 km/h when it met with the washed-out piece of track.

The lead locomotive went off the track bringing along two locomotives behind it and four rail cars.

First responders have said the two workers were trapped inside the train for hours.

Berriault, who was on site west of Ponton for two days investigating, says there was high water in the area and signs of beaver activity.

"They've had heavy precipitation for spring and summer as well there was beaver activity in the area," he said. "So, the track washed out as a result of a significant amount of water."

He says the Transportation Safety Board will still have to look at other factors that may have contributed to the derailment on the Hudson Bay line.

The train cars carrying liquefied petroleum were damaged but none of the product was breached, he added. However, Manitoba Sustainable Development has sent in specialized recovery equipment to clean up diesel fuel leaking from the locomotives into the Metishto River.

The Arctic Gateway Group, a public-private consortium, bought the Hudson Bay Railway earlier this month.

Sections of the railway north of the recent derailment washed out in 2017 and the its previous owner, U.S.-based Omnitrax, had refused to make repairs.

Crews have been working since the sale to try to repair the railway, the only land link to Churchill, Man., a community of about 900 people on Hudson Bay.

Murad Al-Katib of AGT Foods, one of the Arctic Gateway Group's partners, has said the group will not compromise speed for safety during the repairs on the northern section of the rail line to Churchill.

— By Kelly Geraldine Malone in Winnipeg.

The Canadian Press

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Fuel from derailed locomotive in Manitoba leaks into river, clean-up underway 

The Canadian Press


Updated: September 18, 2018


WINNIPEG, CANADA — A train that derailed in northern Manitoba on Saturday that killed a railway worker is leaking diesel fuel into the Metishto River.

Manitoba Sustainable Development says the fuel is from one of the locomotives.

The province says spill recovery equipment is being used to clean up the fuel at the site west of Ponton.

The train was carrying cargo including gasoline, liquid propane gas and butane, but there has been no indication that any of that has spilled or leaked.

The Arctic Gateway Group has said a second railway employee sustained serious injuries in the wreck.

VIA Rail says it has been forced to suspend operations between Winnipeg and Gillam because of the derailment.

“Service on this 1,400 km segment will be restored as soon as the infrastructure is determined to be safe for passenger service,” VIA Rail said in a statement Tuesday.

The Arctic Gateway Group is a public-private consortium which bought the Hudson Bay Railway earlier this month from U.S.-based Omnitrax.

Sections of the railway north of the derailment washed out in 2017 and Omnitrax had refused to make repairs, claiming the line was been losing money for years and would cost tens of millions of dollars to fix.

The railway is the only land link to Churchill, Man., a community of about 900 people on the shores of Hudson Bay, and crews have been working since the sale to try to reopen the connection before winter. (CTV Winnipeg, The Canadian Press) 

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Beth Macdonell, Reporter

@BethCTV

Last Updated Tuesday, September 18, 2018

New challenges are surfacing three days after a train carrying liquid petroleum derailed near Ponton, Man., leaving one man dead and another seriously injured.

A provincial spokesperson says there was a leak of diesel fuel from the locomotive into a nearby waterway.

“Specialized spill recovery equipment is on its way to the site and will be used as part of the cleanup operation,” said the spokesperson in an email to CTV News late Tuesday afternoon.


Related Stories
Photos


On Tuesday CTV News went back to the river and found a crew there. (Chase Gouthro/CTV News)


CTV News observed the leak, located off Hwy. 39, about 10 km west of Ponton, on Monday night. (Beth Macdonell/CTV News)

“Manitoba Sustainable Development is monitoring the cleanup from the train derailment near Ponton. The train was carrying a variety of cargo including gasoline, liquid propane gas and butane, but there has been no indication that any of that cargo spilled or leaked,” read the email.

CTV News observed the leak, located off Hwy. 39, about 10 km west of Ponton, on Monday night.

“Makes me feel sick,” said Robert Ducharme who lives in Ponton.

“Some of my friends are commercial fisherman and this is flowing right into their lake and some of them are pulling out their nets,” he added.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the federal agency responsible for investigating rail accidents for cause and contributing factors, said there is no leak from the tanks cars.

“However damage to the locomotives during the derailment may have resulted in a leak from the locomotives, said spokesperson Alex Fournier in a statement to CTV News earlier Tuesday afternoon.

Transport Canada said two of its inspectors were at the derailment site Sunday and said none of the derailed railcars were leaking. That finding was echoed Tuesday.

“Two Transport Canada inspectors were at the derailment site again today and confirmed that none of the derailed railcars containing liquefied petroleum gas are leaking their contents. Manitoba Sustainable Development is working to contain the sheen on the Metishto River by deploying absorbent booms,” said a statement to CTV News.

On Tuesday CTV News went back to the river and found a crew there.

A provincial spokesperson said environment staff are on site and the cleanup is underway.

VIA Rail suspends operations

VIA Rail told CTV News Tuesday it has been forced to suspend its operations between Winnipeg and Gillam as a result of the derailment.

“Service on this 1,400 km segment will be restored as soon as the infrastructure is determined to be safe for passenger service,” said VIA Rail.

Richard Foss of Prineville, Oregon was crushed to death at Woodgrain Millwork in Fruitland, Idaho, when a piece of equipment fell on top of him as he was unloading it

Man dies after crushed in accident at Fruitland mill

By Katy Moeller

kmoeller@idahostatesman.com


September 19, 2018


Fruitland, Idaho

A 60-year-old man suffered fatal injuries Wednesday at Woodgrain Millwork in Fruitland, according to Fruitland Police and the Payette County coroner.

The victim was identified by the coroner as: Richard Foss of Prineville, Oregon.

Foss was making a delivery to the mill site.  A piece of equipment fell on top of Foss when he was unloading it, Payette County Coroner Keith Schuller said.

An autopsy will be performed at the Ada County Coroner’s Office on Thursday, Schuller said. Fruitland is about 55 miles northwest of Boise.

==========================
Emergency personnel were called to the mill site on Northwest 16th Street at 9:48 a.m. for a report of a man under a piece of equipment, Fruitland Police said in a press release.

The man was not responsive but was still breathing, police said. Officers and paramedics initiated life-saving measures. He was transported to St. Luke’s hospital in Fruitland, where he later died from his injuries.

Woodgrain Millwork is a moulding and millwork manufacturer and supplier dedicated to delivering “best in class” service and millwork products to all customers. Woodgrain provides an integrated supply chain of both international and domestic mills. Mills are strategically located throughout the world, offering multiple options to secure product with shorter lead-times and flexible delivery options. Woodgrain Millwork's diverse product offering includes; moulding, prefinished moulding, door shop products, and window parts. Our branded products include Finished Elegance, DecraMold, BlockShop, Flexgrain, LifeTech, and LifePlast.