Three people were injured when a car exploded near Matheson Industrial Gases in Manchester, NH this morning. Authorities say a leak from one of two canisters of pressurized gas the car was carrying is the likely source of the explosion which blew debris 100 feet across the parking area of the company located on South Willow Street.
When fire crews arrived, thick black smoke was billowing from the flaming car and debris was everywhere. Steve Hebert said the explosion shook the nearby building where he works.
Huge explosion at Matheson Gas in Manchester. Shook our building. pic.twitter.com/Ci0P3tUKcS
— Steve Hebert (@Evenstevo) April 10, 2017
Fire officials said one of the tanks contained and contained oxygen and the other contained acetylene which is used for welding. They believe the acetylene tank was leaking and when the trunk was opened it sparked the explosion, according to local media. Bomb squad and hazmat teams were called to the scene. They transported the canisters to an open field and detonated them.
Information about the nature of the injuries the victims sustained was not available.
Explosions can cause a wide range of injuries that often require care in specialized settings over an extended period of time. The blast wave exerts enough pressure to damage the lungs, heart, liver, eardrums, and eyes. A person who is thrown from the blast can suffer blunt force trauma, falling objects can cause crush injuries, flying debris can cause piercing wounds, and the heat of the blast wave can cause burns.
Our law firm helps people get compensation for people who have been injured in explosions, including a recent $10 million settlement for a client who was badly burned in a propane explosion. To contact Fred Pritzker or Eric Hageman for a free consultation click here. Or, call 1 (888) 377-8900. The call is free and there is no obligation.
