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by: Cris Belle, Jack Shea
by: Cris Belle, Jack Shea
TALLMADGE, Ohio (WJW) — One person is dead and another seriously injured in an explosion at a granite company in Portage County.
Firefighters were called to Korkan Granite at 4561 Crystal Parkway in Tallmadge at around 8:30 a.m. with a report of an explosion, according to the Tallmadge Fire Department.
When crews arrived they say they found no fire but there was evidence of an explosion at a storage unit, near vehicles and other equipment.
Korey Crew, an employee at a nearby business, says he’s never heard anything like it.
“I mean it was clearly an explosion of some kind,” Crew said. “It was one of those ones that shook the whole building and it shook inside of you.”
Investigators say it appears that the use of some type of heating device by an employee to thaw an ice covered lock may have triggered the blast.
Investigators are focusing on tanks of propane that are used by employees to fuel the company’s fork lifts.
“This appears to be a type of industrial accident but we are unable to confirm exactly what caused it at this time,” said Fire Deputy Chief Ben Stasik. “We do have several times of flammable containers related to the type of incident.”
A man was killed. One woman was taken to the hospital with serious injures. Another woman was treated at the scene and released, the department says.
“It’s certainly something that makes our hearts go out to them because it just shows the fragility of life and how quickly it can go,” Deputy Stasik said.
Fire officials say debris from the explosion was found at least 100 yards away or even farther, but snow is making it difficult see.
Vehicles nearby were also damaged.
“Accidents can happen and you know you don’t take anything for granted,” Korey Crew said. “Just showing up on a typical Monday morning, trying to do your job and you never know, tragedy strikes.”
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