Date: January 6, 2021
Location: Jonesborough, Tennessee (USA)
Address: 260 Old State Route 34, 37659
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Rubber Dust
Industry: Rubber Products Manufacturing
Equipment: Unknown
Company: HEXPOL Rubber Compounding
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Person Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, HEXPOL Rubber Compounding produces a wide range of synthetic compounds for the transportation, tire, industrial and rolls market. Founded in 1991, it is a member of HEXPOL AB in Malmö, Sweden.
Incident Description:
On January 7, 2021, the Jonesborough City Press reported an explosion and fire at a rubber manufacturing plant in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
When employees heard a loud explosion, they immediately began evacuating. Once they all got to the parking lot and realized what happened, they called 911.
Firefighters arrived shortly after Washington County 911 officials received a fire alarm call at 1:52 a.m. They found flames coming from the roof and decided to mount an external attack rather than send crews into the building.
A large track hoe was brought in to remove some sheeting on the back wall and get better access to the fire. Throughout the day, tankers and fire trucks from various departments brought almost 3.5 million gallons of water to the scene. All told, emergency workers spent over 24 hours at the scene.
Company officials said there had been recent work on the plant’s sprinkler system.
There were 22 employees working when the explosion occurred. Although they all made it out, one employee suffered first, second and third-degree burns all over his body and was airlifted to a burn centre. According to WJHL 11, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help him and his family.
Old State Route 34 was temporarily closed off to allow emergency personnel to work.
The cause of the explosion was unknown but believed to have started during manufacturing. The fire was expected to burn for days. Officials warned nearby farmers to keep their livestock away from a nearby creek due to toxins from the runoff water.
