Fatal explosion at West Virginia chemical plant kills 1, injures 3
An explosion Tuesday evening at the Optima Chemicals plant in Belle, West Virginia resulted in the death of one worker and injured three others.
The name of the worker injured by the blast was publicly released on Wednesday. John Gillenwater, 42, of Putnam County suffered severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital where he passed away. His family released a statement saying they were “devastated over the loss of their husband, father and friend.” A benefit account for Gillenwater’s family has been set up at the City National Bank. Three other workers were also taken to the hospital, with one reportedly struck by flying metal at the site of the explosion.
One dead, two injured after an explosion at a West Virginia chemical plant, company says abc17news.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abc17news.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
CHARLESTON â An explosion at Optima Chemicalâs facility on the Chemours Co.âs site in Belle, West Virginia, on Tuesday night killed one of the plantâs workers, sent several others to the hospital and prompted a series of ongoing investigations into the blast that rocked the eastern Kanawha County community.
The explosion occurred at 10:02 p.m. and killed John Gillenwater, 42, of Hurricane, a husband and father of two.
âThe family is devastated over the loss of their husband, father and friend John Gillenwater,â the company said in a statement on the familyâs behalf. âJohn was beloved by many in his community and his church. Tina and her children are surrounded by family and friends in this great time of need. What happened was a tragedy.
Investigations ensue after one person killed in Belle chemical plant explosion mdjonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mdjonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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An explosion at the Optima Chemicals Company in Belle rocked the Upper Kanawha Valley Tuesday night, killing one man and injuring four others. Debris from the explosion flew across the river onto the interstate, local residents reported houses shaking as far away as Cedar Grove and the noise from the explosion was heard up and down the Kanawha River Valley. Lora Roupe Foster, a resident of Hansford, captured this image from her home on the other side of the river near Montgomery.
Courtesy photo/Lora Roupe Foster One dead from Belle explosion, fire
By Steve Keenan
The Montgomery Herald