Arizona grain-dust blast injures 4 workers
by The Associated Press
Nestle Purina is assessing damage from a grain-dust explosion sparked by flames from welding equipment at the company's plant in Flagstaff, Ariz.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—A crew from Nestle Purina PetCare Co. is assessing damage from a grain-dust explosion that injured four contract workers at the company’s plant in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Flames from welding equipment sparked the explosion Sept. 14, blowing out metal doors at the front of the seven-storey grain elevator.
Two workers who suffered severe burns were listed in good condition at the Arizona Burn Center at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. The other two had less severe burns.
Authorities say it was the first such incident at the dog food plant in more than four decades of operation.
Company spokesman Keith Schopp says a crew from the St. Louis headquarters was on site surveying the damage. Production remained shut down, but the warehouse is operating.
About 250 people work at the Flagstaff factory.
