1 man dead, 1 stable after explosion at Dexter Utilities Department
![042213_NEWS_Explosion_MRM_01A.JPG](http://www.annarbor.com/assets_c/2013/04/042213_NEWS_Explosion_MRM_01A-thumb-646x429-140443.jpg)
First responders arrive at the Dexter Utilities Department after an explosion Monday. The blast killed one man and injured another.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
One of the men injured in an explosion at the Dexter Utilities Department died Monday afternoon, according to a Huron Valley Ambulance official.
Spokeswoman Joyce Williams said at 4:10 p.m. Monday that one of the men died at University of Michigan Hospital from injuries suffered during the explosion.
“One patient has died and the other is in stable condition,” Williams said in a text message.
Emergency personnel were dispatched at 1:39 p.m. to the Dexter Utilities Department, 8360 Huron St. for a report of an explosion. Dexter Area Fire Department Chief Loren Yates said methane gas in a holding tank exploded while the men were working. He said firefighters believe both men were inside the tank when the explosion occurred.
One man was blown out of the tank by the force of the explosion and other workers assisted the other man out, Yates said. The men were disassembling the tank when the explosion took place, he said.
The men were found on the roof of a nearby building, Yates said. Their names have not been released.
“We’re saddened to learn about the death of a person who was working on a village project,” said Village President Shawn Keough. “Our thoughts go out to the family.”
Assistant Village President Courtney Nicholls said the two men were working on the concrete lid of a holding tank that collects sewer waste when the explosion occurred.
The men work for a firm sub-contracted out to work on a $3.3 million sludge handling improvement project, which got underway in October 2012, Nicholls said.
The main contractor for the project is A.Z. Shmina, Inc.
Members of the village’s utility department were meeting Monday afternoon with state and Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials to discover exactly what went wrong.
“It’s not affecting the operation of the plant,” Nicholls said, adding that water and sewer customers will not see any change in service.
The men were transported by Huron Valley Ambulance to U-M Hospital. Survival Flight was called in to assist in the rescue, but did not end up transporting either of the men, Williams said.
The Washtenaw County Technical Rescue Team and the Chelsea Area Fire Authority assisted Dexter firefighters in the rescue. The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office was also on scene and is investigating the explosion, Yates said.
Huron Street was closed about 100 yards away from the intersection with Broad Street to allow for investigation.
View Dexter explosion in a larger map
Crime reporter John Counts contributed to this story.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Mitch
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
Prayers to the Wife and kids.......
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.
Very sad. We don't know what happened here, but working around tanks, and especially in tanks, has all sorts of extra safety requirements. Some of them aren't intuitive. I've read that even after being purged, more gas can seep out of the pores of the metal. Never, ever work in a confined space if you don't have those certifcations and safety gear.
Kyle Feldscher
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:55 p.m.
I'm working to follow up with the sheriff's office, MIOSHA and village officials on this incident today.
JRW
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.
Very sorry to learn of this accident. Sympathy to all involved.
music to my ear
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 11:58 a.m.
we never know when God will call, my prayers to the family,
Nicholas Urfe
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 1:12 p.m.
That's why I always check the caller ID.
clownfish
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 11:56 a.m.
This is why we have workplace regulation and safety standards. Thoughts are with the families today,. Everybody else, stay safe!
msrock1954
Tue, Apr 23, 2013 : 12:47 a.m.
I'm sure OSHA is going to want to know if tank and area was tested for methane with a gas detector! I worked at thee A2 WWTP back in the 70's and we had one of our fixed cover digesters blow top off! This is awful! I hope somebody didn't ignore proper protocol as losing a life just isn't worth the gamble!
justcurious
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
This is such a tragedy. I pray that the injured man, his family and the loved ones of the man who died will find peace down the road.
Paprika Z
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.
How awful. The victims and their families are in my thoughts.
Linda Peck
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
I add my prayers to others' prayers for the victims and their families.
djm12652
Mon, Apr 22, 2013 : 8:29 p.m.
My prayers are with the victim's loved ones....