COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Serious burns have been reported to one man who was injured in an industrial explosion and fire late Tuesday afternoon in Coldwater. It happened at Real Alloy at 368 West Garfield Avenue shortly after 5:30 p.m.
A Coldwater Fire Department news release said the natural gas blast occurred as an employee was attempting to relight a dryer. When the alarm came in, there was a report that besides the one burn victim, two workers were missing. However, all of the other employees were accounted for.
The victim, whose name wasn’t released, was treated at the scene and taken by Lifecare to the Community Health Center of Branch County with what were described as non-life threatening injuries to his hands and head.
Fire damage was contained to the dryer and other machinery in the plant with the flames brought under control using multiple fire extinguishers. Firefighters were on scene for over an hour.