Investigation continuing into explosion
June 2005
LOUTH county council chief fire officer Eamon Woulfe says it is too early to tell what causes an explosion which leaves seven people injured, including four firemen.
He adds that an investigation into what occurred at Crumb Rubber, Dromiskin, on 28 May is underway by the Health and Safety Authority.
Inspectors arrive on the scene a short time after the incident takes place.
The injuries sustained by the four firefighters, leave members of the service deeply shocked and concerned for their colleagues.
Mr Woulfe adds they are all thankful a tragedy is averted, explaining many feared the worst after the firemen and three factory workers are rushed to hospital.
Fire services are initially called to the scene at 8am to deal with a small machinery fire inside the plant.
Although this is extinguished, the fire appears to re-start, and just as fireman are going to tend to it, the explosion happens outside.
It is believed the explosion occurs when a spark ignites in a dust silo.
The blast at the plant shocks residents nearby and eyewitnesses tell of a ‘fireball’ erupting at the facility after 9am.
Meanwhile, there is a sense of relief when two of the firefighters are released from hospital, and when it is confirmed that their two more seriously injured colleagues are breathing unaided in the Burns Unit in St James’ Hospital, Dublin.
Two of the three Crumb Rubber staff are also being treated in the Burns Unit and are in a stable condition.
At the Meadow Grove station in Dundalk, firefighters are still coming to terms with events, and tell of an amazing level of support they receive from the public, with phone calls coming in from around the world inquiring about their injured colleagues.