Explosion at Washington state aerospace plant injures 5

The blast at a factory responsible for aircraft cabin interiors located in Newport, Washington, caused unspecified damage, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities in the northeast Washington community of Newport say an explosion at an Aerospace plant injured five people Tuesday night.

Officials had been concerned about thousands of gallons of contaminated water from the plant reaching a nearby river after water lines ruptured and the sprinkler system activated and then broke, Schaeffer said.

NEWPORT, Wash. -Update 11:51 p.m. Tuesday: Evacuations are in place for residences and a McDonald’s in a 2,000 foot diameter around the Zodiac Aerospace plant because of a hazmat situation.

“Our first thoughts go to our five colleagues who have been injured”, the company said. It makes structural composites and assemblies, adhesives, panels with honeycomb core and various plastics, all used in the manufacture of aircraft cabin interiors.

The company says it has sent a counseling team to the plant to provide support for employees.

“Everything close to where the blast occurred was fractured”, Schaeffer told Reuters, describing the blast as far greater than explosions caused by natural gas leaks in homes.

Zodiac, based in Plaisir, France, said in a statement that it was still investigating the cause.

The seat supply shortage delayed a series of aircraft deliveries, including 787 Dreamliners to American Airlines.

Schaeffer said he was told the plant is one of the largest employers for the town about an hour southwest of Spokane and there were concerns the economic impact to the area could be substantial.

Via email, a Zodiac spokesman in Paris said the Newport facility employs about 200 people.

Volunteer firefighter Chris Demlow, 52, said he heard the explosion and ran into his backyard, about five blocks from the facility.

“It shook every window in the house”, he said in an on-air interview.

Seattle Times aerospace reporter Dominic Gates contributed background information about Zodiac to this report.