COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters were sent to a propane explosion outside the Faurecia manufacturing facility, 601 S. Gladstone Ave., early this morning.
Three employees were injured in the incident. Firefighters said one employee was taken by medical helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital with serious burn injuries, but that individual’s condition is unknown at this time. The other two employees had minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
The fire department received a report of a structure fire at Faurecia at 2:08 a.m., said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
Fire department investigators said the explosion occurred when a Faurecia employee was filling a propane tank used for a forklift. The exact cause of the explosion is not known.
As a result of the explosion, a fire occurred in the area of the propane filling station. The facilities sprinkler system activated prior to firefighters arrival and significantly reduced damages caused by fire to the exterior of the manufacturing facility.
Faurecia, which was evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters, closed operations for the remainder of the morning shift. According to Columbus Fire Department Investigators, modified operations have resumed this morning. Firefighters were on the scene until approximately 3:52 a.m.
Damage from fire were isolated to the exterior materials storage and propane storage area. No damage estimate is available. Agencies that assisted at the scene included the Columbus Police Department and Columbus Regional Health EMS.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
