AN investigation has begun into the cause of an explosion at a Co Kilkenny factory near Waterford city yesterday evening in which four people were injured.
Gardai sealed off the factory and an inspector from the chemical industry safety section of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) arrived at the Lawter International B.V. factory at Grannagh, Co Kilkenny last night to begin a detailed examination.
The HSA said that pending investigation the system at Lawter had been closed down.
The explosion believed to have occurred while a new incinerator was being installed was the second blast at the factory in recent years. In August 1993 three workmen were injured two seriously in an explosion and the company was subsequently prosecuted by the Health and Safety Authority.
The explosion occurred at about 5.45 p.m. yesterday and part of the roof of the factory which makes resins for the printing industry, was blown off. Four firemen wearing breathing apparatus had to enter the factory and extinguish a fire which had broken out.
Around 30 people were working in the factory and the four injured men were believed to be employed near reactor 7 where the explosion occurred.
The factory was evacuated in minutes and the injured were taken by ambulance to Waterford Regional Hospital Two of them suffering from facial burns were transferred last night to the burns unit at University College Hospital in Cork. Their injuries are believed not to be life threatening.
They are Mr Fintan O'Keefe and Mr Tom Grace from Mooncoin, Co Waterford Mr Ray O Mahoney from Knockboy, Co Waterford and Mr William Walsh Grannagh.
Three units of Waterford Cite Fire Brigade together with units from Thomastown and Kilkenny attended the scene.