NJ - Chemical Plant Blast Injures 3 Workers; 1 'Critical'

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Title: Chemical plant blast injures 3 workers; 1 'critical'

03/24/00

PENNSVILLE, N.J. (AP) -- An early morning explosion at a Salem County chemical plant injured three workers, including one in critical condition with burns to his arms and face.

Two workers at Ganes Chemicals Inc., a manufacturer of pharmaceutical ingredients, were loading an industrial dryer with a powdery substance wet with solvents on Thursday morning when the machine exploded, said plant manager William Davis.

Mark Whipkey, 42, of Carneys Point was in critical condition at Crozier-Chester Medical Center in Chester, Delaware County, with burns on 25 percent of his body, a hospital spokeswoman said. Davis said the "flash and heat" of the explosion burned Whipkey's arms and face.

There was no sustained fire, he said.

The company closed the building where the incident occurred for the day and ceased all dryer operations until an internal investigation is complete.

No criminal charges have been filed, said Pennsville police Lt. Kelly O'Rourke.

) 2000 THE MORNING CALL Inc.

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), March 24, 2000


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