Massive Explosion, Fire At Kinston Pharmaceutical Plant
POSTED: 2:07 p.m. EST January 29, 2003
UPDATED: 3:17 p.m. EST January 29, 2003
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A spokeswoman at Lenoir Memorial Hospital said at least three people in critical condition with burns were at the hospital and more victims were expected.
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Helicopters from Duke and UNC Hospitals have been dispatched to the scene and crews at thosehospitals are awaiting victims.
Dozens of ambulances and other emergency vehicles are lined up along Rouse Road, near the blast site.
The force of the explosion reportedly rocked nearby homes and buildings, including Parrott Academy. The private school, located less than a mile away, is being evacuated after windows were reported blown out from the force of the blast. There are no reports of injuries at the school.
Lee Edwards, who lives beside the plant, said debris from two 800-feet-tall water towers flew in the air and the woods behind the company were on fire.
"All I can see is just the black smoke, just billowing up in the air. I mean, the whole sky is black," he said. "It exploded. It knocked me over."
West Pharmaceutical employees 255 people at the plant; however, there is no word how many people were working at the time of the blast.
The company produces syringe plungers and IV fitments.
Early reports suggested a plane crashed into the building. Christopher White, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration in Atlanta, said no aircraft were involved in the explosion, which occurred near the Global Transpark airport. The airport remained open.