Equinox chemicals worker in critical condition - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Equinox chemicals worker in critical condition

Posted: Updated:

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 11:45 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:45:38 GMT
    A Cordele man is out of jail tonight, accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from his former employer. Crisp County Investigators say 25-year-old James Aultman stole more than $10,000
    A Cordele man is out of jail tonight, accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from his former employer.

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 11:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:40:13 GMT
    Albany Police are putting on a free gospel concert this weekend. It's free, but they will accept donations to fund the department's annual community picnic in June. Musical artists from around South
    Albany Police are putting on a free gospel concert this weekend.

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 11:35 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:35:30 GMT
    A couple of South Georgia mayors attended a forum at the Albany Civil Rights Institute to enlighten the public on how city governments run, Thursday. Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard and Baconton Mayor Annette
    A couple of South Georgia mayors attended a forum at the Albany Civil Rights Institute to enlighten the public on how city governments run, Thursday.
    •   

By Jim Wallace - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - A worker at at Albany chemical manufacturing plant remains in critical condition at the Augusta Burn Center tonight, after he was burned in a flash fire Wednesday night.

37 year old Jason Pate suffered second degree burns over much of his body in the industrial accident at Equinox Chemicals on West Oakridge about 9 PM.

Fire investigators say Pate was operating a chemical machine, when two gasket seals on the machine ruptured from pressure. That blew the manifold system off acetylene tanks, spewing the flammable gas into the air and sparking a flash fire.

The company owner shut down production after the fire.

Equinox Chemicals owner Mark Grimaldi said  "Our most important asset is our people. As a small business it's a family. It really is. We are just concerned about Jason right now, and making sure his family has got the support they need."

Firefighters stayed at the plant overnight to make sure the acetylene tanks were empty, and there was no more fire danger.

Grimaldi said they will not re-start production at the plant until they have finished their internal investigation, and made sure about all safety issues.

Feedback


©2009 WALB News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.