[h=1]Five Injured in Washington Plant Explosion[/h]
[h=2]Newport blast lifted floor off its foundation[/h]
Wed, Jul 15, 2015
NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) ? An explosion rocked an aerospace plant in northeast Washington, toppling large pieces of machinery, lifting an entire floor off its foundation and seriously injuring five people, authorities said Wednesday.
he sheer power of the blast Tuesday night and the shrapnel it created caused the majority of the damage, and little to no fire ignited at Zodiac Aerospace in the small town of Newport, said Brian Schaeffer, assistant chief of the Spokane Fire Department who responded to the scene.
"The energy from that explosion went through that building almost like a tidal wave and destroyed or impacted everything in its path," he said.
...
The blast stemmed from vapors released during chemical manufacturing, but there was no more danger to the surrounding area, said Schaeffer, who responded with a hazardous-materials team. The chemicals are used to make fire-resistant components for aircraft interiors, he said.
Officials were trying to stop runoff from reaching a nearby river after water lines ruptured and the sprinkler system activated and then broke, prompting concerns that the water mixed with chemicals, he said.
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Zodiac Aerospace is a French company that makes aircraft components around the world.
Schaeffer said the plant is one of the largest employers in the town, located in the depressed northeastern corner of Washington...
