Man injured following explosion at WIT facility

A MAN in his 60s was recovering in hospital after an explosion at a storage facility in Waterford yesterday morning.

It is understood a gas cylinder exploded at an IDA Industrial Estate on the city’s Cork Road at around 10am.

A garda spokesman said the man was rushed to Waterford Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A 650ft cordon was put in place around the building and a number of factories were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The Health and Safety Authority is investigating.

The worker is said to have suffered minor burns to his arms and face.

Firefighters brought the fire under control but remained at the scene of the explosion.

The IDA said the building is leased to Waterford Institute of Technology.

An IDA spokeswoman said: “We wish the injured man well.”

Waterford City Fire Service confirmed there were two gas explosions involving oxygen and acetylene at WIT’s applied technology campus.

Gardaí, ESB, Bord Gáis and BOC which supply industrial, medical and special gases were also on-site yesterday after the incident.

WIT said one staff member was injured and taken to hospital where his condition was described as comfortable.

Elaine Greenan, estates manager for WIT, said: “Our priority at the moment is to ensure that the area is made safe as soon as possible and we’ve been working closely with the authorities to that end.

“The Health and Safety Authority will carry out an investigation into the incident and we will assist them in any way we can. We will also carry out our own internal investigation.

“The safety of staff and students is paramount and we will be doing everything possible to ensure that this type of incident cannot occur again.

“We would also like to send our good wishes to the staff member injured in the incident and wish him a speedy recovery.”