Published: July 23, 2008 07:03 pm            

Four injured during barge explosion

By Mary Meaux

The Orange Leader

PORT ARTHUR — Four contract workers were injured, one seriously, during a barge explosion at Tubal Caine Marine Services Wednesday morning.

The small explosion occurred about 8:04 a.m. at the facility, located at 8737 Old Ferry Road near Port Arthur.

Port Arthur Fire Department responded to the emergency and reported three people were transported by EMS to Christus Hospital St. Mary and one other person drove himself to the hospital. The most seriously injured person suffered second and third degree burns. The body surface area injured is not available at this time. Battalion Chief Patrick Murphy said this person was transferred to a Galveston hospital for treatment.

The explosion occurred while workers — contract workers from Hutco — were performing maintenance on the barge. A flange was opened and some liquid spilled out into the area where they were working, fire officials said.

The employees began to experience lightheadedness and dizziness from the product and left the barge. A welder’s torch then set off a “small explosion.” The ensuing fire was extinguished with approximately 55 gallons of foam.

A reporter made several calls to the facility and was told officials with the company were not available for comment. Company president Eddie Van Huis terminated a cell phone call placed by the reporter Wednesday afternoon.

A person who answered the phone at Hutco in Port Arthur said company officials declined to comment.

Elizabeth Todd, public affairs person with the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said a compliance officer will visit the site Thursday morning. The investigation, she said, could take up to six months to complete.

The U.S. Coast Guard also responded to the explosion and is investigating the incident to determine the cause and to determine what can be done to prevent such an occurrence in the future, an official said.

Representatives of the Texas General Land Office and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality were also at the scene to assess the situation.

        

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