Nov 6, 2007 6:18 pm US/Eastern
3 Hurt In Steam Pipe Explosion At Power Plant
SALEM (WBZ) ―
Three people were seriously burned when a steam pipe burst at the Salem Harbor Power Station Tuesday morning.
The explosion happened inside the plant's boiler room just before 9 a.m. It left the victims with severe burns on their heads, hands, faces and necks.
All three victims, whose names have not been released, were taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Two of the victims are said to have serious injuries.
Salem fire officials said the explosion happened in the water tube of a boiler. Officials said the high-pressure water tube burst, emitting scorching steam. The workers, who were nearby at the time of the explosion, were seriously burned.
Salem Fire Capt. Alan Dionne told the Salem News the steam was at a temperature of 320 degrees.
Firefighters searched the area for additional victims but none was found.
Relatives rushed to the plant when they got word of the explosion.
"I called the plant and they said, 'We can't take any phone calls,'" said Estelle Coan, a worker's wife. "So, I then tried to call his cell phone, and he's not picking up, which normally he would call back. So, I said, 'I'm just going to drive down there.'"
The area where the explosion occurred has been sealed off and all non-essential workers have been evacuated, officials said. However, the plant is operational.
The coal-fired plant on Fort Avenue was purchased by Virginia-based Dominion Energy Co. in 2005. It employs 145 people and produces enough electricity for 740,000 homes.
The boiler involved in the explosion is 50 years old and is inspected yearly, according to plant officials. Over the past five years, there have been 19 calls concerning the boiler, which according to the fire department is normal.
A neighbor told WBZ-TV that the plant has had problems in the past.
"It's been mishap after mishap -- recently -- let's say in the last four years," said Salem resident David Reardon.
In 2003, a minor steam leak was reported at the plant.
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(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
