Chemical Plant Explosion Harms Workers

FITCHBURG, Mass.--Several workers apparently inhaled burning vapors after an explosion in a storage area of a chemical plant yesterday.

Seven people were injured, one of them critically.

The explosion was reported at about 10:15 a.m. at the Chem Design plant, Roy said. The plant makes specialty chemicals and other products.

Investigators believe the blast involved the chemicals xylene, used as a protective coating, and cyclohexane, a solvent.

Company President Joe Acker said the explosion occurred in a storage area for chemicals used to process computer and facsimile paper.

The area is in a building adjacent to Chem Design's main plant; Acker said maintenance work was going on in the building at the time.

One of the victims, William Cullen, 25, of Berlin, was in critical condition at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.

Five others were in serious condition at the same hospital: James Tata, 31, of Fitchburg; John Mead, whose age and address were not known; Cole Lupien, 36, of Templeton; Gary Lusco, 44, of Winchenden; and James McMaster, 18, of Shirley. Tata and McMaster were in the hospital's burn unit.

A seventh worker was treated for minor injuries at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, and released.

News of the incident spread quickly, and relatives flocked to the plant.

The explosion also caused a fire in the walls and ceiling of the structure, fire officials said. There was no immediate estimate of damage.

A blast wall protected office workers from the explosion.

"It was designed the right way," said Fire Chief Fred Buck. "It did what it was supposed to do."

Chem Design was cited for safety violations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a five-month investigations. The company was fined $7,475.