Explosion at Alabama Lime Plant Badly Injures WorkerExplosion at Alabama Lime Plant Badly Injures Worker

Emergency personnel responded to the Lhoist North America lime plant in Alabaster, AL on Wednesday evening after an explosion injured a worker. Called to the scene at about 6:30 p.m., firefighters determined that the victim was starting a furnace when the blast occurred, coverage by the Alabaster Reporter said. 

The person received severe burns and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. A local firefighter said in the newspaper’s report that the injured worker will likely recover, and said the proximity of Alabaster’s fire stations to the Lhoist plant enabled a fast response.

“It was very fortuitous that they were close,” Alabaster firefighter Rowdy Tidwell told the Reporter.

The Alabaster Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the blast. 

Lhoist North America provides lime, limestone, and clay products to end-users in agriculture, pulp and paper, building materials and a number of other industries, according to the firm’s website.