Explosion at Austin Powder plant in Ohio Special

An explosion at the Austin Powder Company in Zaleski, Ohio has sent at least four people to the hospital, one in serious condition.

Tom Coelho, emergency management director for Vinton County, Ohio told Digital Journal that there are four to six employees that were injured. Two of three medical helicopters have left the scene with patients going to OSU Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.

"We are assuming that the injured have burns because of the request for the copters. There is another medical helicopter at the scene ready to be used."

At this time the cause of the explosion is not known. Both Austin Powder and the ATF will conduct investigates. Mr. Coelho said that the explosion caused a fire. The sprinkler system worked putting the fire out almost immediately. Because of the nature of the product the sprinklers will run throughout the night. On Wednesday morning the building will be reentered to begin the investigation. Austin Powder has several small buildings in the complex. The explosion was contained to one building. The company manufactures the black powder that was used to move mountains during the westward migration. Today it is the second oldest manufacturing plant in Ohio producing a full line of industrial explosives and accessories. Austin Powder provides blasting services throughout North America. Mike Gleason, spokesman for Austin Powder confirmed that four employees were injured in the blast in a telephone interview with Digital Journal. Three of those employees have been airlifted to OSU Medical Center and the fourth went to a local hospital. All of the injured were conscience at the scene. The explosion took place at the company's Red Diamond plant about 10:30 this morning. The building involved manufactures detonating cord. The Red Diamond plant employees about 200 people and was founded in 1930.

"At this time we are focusing on our employees that have been injured and their families," Mike Gleason said.

The explosion rocked the small town of just under 400 people. The county is very small with only 2 stop lights.