A boiler malfunction appears to be the cause of an explosion that occurred at a Veolia plant in South Philadelphia Wednesday.
The blast occurred just before 3:30 p.m., according to Philadelphia Police.
One person sustained a minor injury when they were struck by flying glass,6ABC reported.
All employees at the plant have been accounted for, according to the city’s Office of Emergency Management.
The plant is located at the intersection of Christian and 26th streets.
Neighbors told to go back into homes as #BoilerExplosion investigation continues https://t.co/WtdLc55khc pic.twitter.com/seRGmMnL0I
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) June 15, 2016
Avoid the area around Grays Ferry and Christian so @PhillyFireDept @phillypolice can work. @PhilaOEM responding to @veolia #BoilerExplosion
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) June 15, 2016
No evacautions and gas readings are negative. All employees accounted for. #BoilerExplosion
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) June 15, 2016
Smoke was seen rising from the plant. Some residents posted that they felt the explosion as far away as Rittenhouse Square.
“Veolia North America experienced an eruption at our Schuylkill Station steam facility shortly after 3 o’clock today,” a statement from the company read. “The incident was contained to the inside of the facility and there was no fire. There was one minor injury treated at the scene and all employees have been accounted for and are OK. “Thermal energy services are uninterrupted at this time and we are shifting the steam load to our satellite facility as a backup. This plant provides thermal energy to approximately 300 clients in Philadelphia. The company will conduct a full investigation to determine what happened.” Authorities say the situation is now contained, according to 6ABC.
