THE SCENE of two gas explosions in Waterford which left one man with burn injuries remained cordoned off last night as emergency services worked to ensure that the area is safe.
The local man, in his 60s, was injured when a gas cylinder containing acetylene – which reaches extremely high temperatures when ignited with oxygen – exploded at a building used by Waterford Institute of Technology in an IDA industrial estate in Waterford city.
Investigations are under way into the cause of the incident which occurred at about 10am yesterday. After the initial explosion, a second occurred.
The Garda say a fire broke out as a result of the explosions but was brought under control “fairly quickly”.
Four nearby buildings had to be evacuated and traffic restrictions put in place while the fire service, the ESB, the Garda, An Bord Gáis and BOC industrial gases were called to inspect the scene and secure the area.
It is understood that the injured man, a staff member with Waterford Institute of Technology, suffered burns in the explosion.
He was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital and his condition was described as “comfortable”.
Waterford Institute of Technology estates manager Elaine Greenan said the college’s priority was to ensure the area was made safe as soon as possible.
She said the institute would assist the Health and Safety Authority in any way it could.
“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.”
Gardaí remained on the scene in the evening. “We’re treating it as an industrial accident,” Supt Chris Delaney of Waterford Garda station said.
“The area is cordoned off and there will be a cordon in place for a period of 24 hours to make sure everything is safe.”
An area of about 200m in each direction from the site of the explosion was sealed off and was expected to remain off limits to the public until at least 10am today.