TEMPLE, Texas — An explosion rattled an industrial facility in Temple on Tuesday morning, leaving five workers with severe burns, authorities reported.
Temple Fire and Rescue swiftly responded to the distress call regarding a structure fire resulting from an explosion at Delta Centrifugal, situated at 3402 Center St., around 11:30 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered billowing smoke and flames emanating from a rear building on the premises.
Emergency responders wasted no time in initiating life-saving procedures and tackling the blaze. During the evacuation process, it was discovered that five employees had sustained severe burns in the incident, prompting their urgent transportation to a nearby emergency room. Currently, officials maintain that none of the injuries are deemed life-threatening.
The explosion at the facility, reportedly involving an induction furnace containing approximately 10,000 pounds of molten metal heated to a scorching 2,900 degrees, remains shrouded in mystery as investigators delve into its cause.
Swift action by the firefighters resulted in the rapid control of the flames. A coordinated effort involving 13 units and 27 personnel from Temple Fire and Rescue, complemented by support from Temple Police Department and Temple EMS, was pivotal in managing the situation effectively.
As evening approached on Tuesday, Center Street remained inaccessible to traffic due to the ongoing emergency response operations at the scene. Authorities urged motorists to steer clear of the area to facilitate the uninterrupted work of the emergency crews.