Posted on 10/06/2007 5:05:45 PM PDT by Ramius
TACOMA, Wash. - More than an hour after an explosion rocked the Atlast Foundry in Tacoma, Deputy Fire Chief Jolene Davis says firefighters are trying to prevent another propane tank from exploding.
Washington State Patrol told KING 5 there was a possiblity of two more explosions at the foundry, located at 3021 South Wilkeson in Tacoma, if they didn't bring the fire under control.
At 3 p.m. an explosion was heard miles away, and witnesses reported flames shooting into the sky.
Two people have been taken to the hospital with burns, but there are no confirmed fatalities according to Jeff Merrill, of Washington State Patrol.
The foundry is near the intersection of I-5 and Highway 16 in the Nalley Valley. Callers to KING 5 report lots of smoke, a weird smell and sirens everywhere.
Evacuations have not been ordered, but are still possible, Merrill said.
The Tacoma News Tribune reports "multiple" explosions that sent flames two stories high, and a "fireball" 1,000 feet tall. Atlas Foundry Director of Safety Evid Owen told the newspaper he thinks that a propane tank being filled exploded. Another tank was on fire and a third was expected to explode.
A KING5 reporter was not allowed within several hundred feet of the area.
Washington State Patrol said southbound I-5 traffic was stopped just north of the exit to WB SR16. Northbound I-5 traffic was stopped at 38th Street. Eastbound SR 16 traffic is stopped at Union Avenue. There is no information on when it will be reopened.
Photo submitted by KING 5 viewer
Tacoma foundry fire, explosion Caller Dave Damron told KING 5 he was getting out of his car when two explosions "rocked the neighborhood."
"I see a flaming gas jet, probably 25 to 30 feet in the air," he said.
Witness Katie Martin said she was stopped at S. 38th Street Exit off I-5 when it happened.
"All of the sudden 'boom,' this huge explosion, a huge mushroom of fire and it got so hot that I could feel it through my windshield," she said.
Alan Bouman, a worker at T & T Tire Factory a couple of miles away, said the blast caused lights to flicker and a door to sway open.
"Some of the guys outside asked if you heard that, heard the explosion," Bouman said.
According to it's Web site, "Atlas Castings & Technology is one of the premier foundries in North America producing high integrity steel castings for customers around the world. Atlas uses state of the art technology to produce complicated components with stringent metallurgical and quality requirements. Atlas is no longer just a foundry and has evolved into a manufacturer of major metal components."
More to come.
I live in Browns point, North East Tacoma.Heard the bang.
They don’t have illegals up there, just undocumented citizens.
Check out this video of the explosion, it is the best I’ve seen yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnPz5mx_1AM
I thought we were having an earthquake and I was all the way over on 6th and Union!
I felt it out here in Puyallup.
Just wow!
Thanks for the link! Felt it in University Place.
The Nalley Valley is a very narrow low area. Perhaps that shielded surrounding areas somewhat from the explosion.
The driver of the propane truck, one week after the explosion has died.
God bless the family he leaves behind. It must have been a terrible week for them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.