Explosion at The Dixie Crystal Refinery

There has been a hugh explosion, perhaps in the boiler room, at Dixie Crystal Sugar Refinery right outside Savannah. Memorial Hospital is taking the injuries. Fire departments from all around are helping out with the fire. So far, there has been no report of the severity of injuries or casualties. The local news is urging people to stay off the roads to allow ambulances easy access.

I pray for the best.

Addendum -- it appears there are about a hundred or so hurt, with maybe 30 seriously injured. All hospitals in the area are helping out -- the burn center in Augusta will also be used, according to reports.

Part of the building is still burning and some of it has collapsed -- they are now saying it may have been the bag room where the explosion originated.

One of the potential problems is that sugar dust is highly flammable, according to reports of experts.

60 people are unaccounted for.

The latest report on injuries -- only ten people so far are critical enough to be sent to the Augusta burn center -- that's better than the original estimate of 30.

They are urging people not to panic about the 60 unaccounted for, they may have left and gone home -- there is no evidence the 60 are in danger.

Update on fire as of 10:12pm -- the fire is stilling burning. They are searching the Savannah River for possible victims -- the plant is on the river -- no one has been found in the river.

So far there have been no fatalities reported.

Friday morning 2/8/08 -- There is now national and local news on the internet -- my heart goes out to those injured and their families -- http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/sugar.plant.explosion/?iref=mpstoryview

I called the plant "Dixie Crystal" last night, because that is how many of us remember the company which is now Imperial Sugar.

Mike from Savannah

Comments

[Leslie]

The last number, at 12:00 am, unaccounted for is at 9. The plant is still in a full blaze. Everyone is speculating as to where and how it started, but no real answers will be known until the fire is put out and fire inspectors can go in.

[Mike Farmer]

Thanks, I finally had to go to bed. I am glad it's not as bad as first expected.

[gerovital h3]

an investigation must be done carefully...six should not happen again