One Person Injured Due to Deflagration Reaction at Lumber Plant

The man was working with biochar when the incident occurred.

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

September 7, 2023

1 Min Read
Incident at lumber company sends one to hospital
One worker was seriously injured in an incident at Braxton Lumber Company in West Virginia this morning. The man was working with biochar when a deflagration reaction occurred.Image courtesy of ronemmons / iStock / Getty Images Plus

There has been one injury at the Braxton Lumber Company in Braxton County, WV after a supposed explosion, according to the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The blast happened around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in a section of Braxton Lumber Company’s lumber yard near Heaters.

The Fire Marshal indicated the explosion was in an area where charcoal was being processed.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was working at the lumber yard on an experimental process with biochar to make a type of charcoal from wood when the accident happened.

Officials say during the incident, a deflagration reaction caused the door to blow off the container, striking and injuring the man.

Through the investigation, the WVSFMO learned that it was the deflagration reaction, not an explosion, that caused the incident.

Earlier reports stated that the worker had died; however, the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s office more recently reported that the person did survive and was flown to a hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

Fire crews from across Braxton County were quickly on the scene and had the situation controlled and the fire out soon after the incident.

 

About the Author

Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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