Workers injured in fire at Bread Alone bakery

Two electrical contractors suffered first degree burns in a “flash fire” i at Bread Alone on state Route 28 in Olive.

BOICEVILLE, N.Y. >> Two electrical contractors suffered first degree burns Monday in a “flash fire” that began when a pocket of flammable gas ignited during renovations at Bread Alone on state Route 28 in Olive, a fire department official and the bakery’s vice president said.

Another worker suffered minor burns and was treated at the scene by Olive First Aid and Mobile Life, according to Olive Fire Department Chief Chris Winne.

Winne said firefighters were called to the scene at 12:55 p.m. Monday. The fire was out upon arrival, but firefighters did not clear the scene until about 5:10 p.m., he said.

Winne said firefighters, using a meter placed underneath the concrete floor, found large “pockets of gas” which had to be dispersed. He said the Kingston Hazmat Team along with the West Hurley Fire Department assisted in clearing the flammable gas.

The gas was most likely propane that might have leaked from a tank on the premises, Winne said, but a final determination had not been made as of Tuesday afternoon.

“It could have been a lot worse,” Winne said.

Two of the workers were taken to the HealthAlliance Hospital’s Broadway campus in Kingston. Leader and Winne did not identify the workers.

Winne said there was “minimal damage” to the property.

Nels Leader of Bread Alone said the contractors were doing plumbing work at the bakery and cafe, at 3962 Route 28. He said the bakery and cafe was closed at the time of the fire.

Leader said firefighters were called immediately. He said Bread Alone’s Boiceville location was scheduled to reopen Thursday.