Worker injured in explosion at East Side company in critical condition

Firefighters Respond to Explosion

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An explosion around 2:30pm at Virgin Oil Ltd. on Youngstown's East Side leaves one worker in critical condition Wednesday Feb. 25, 2009.

YOUNGSTOWN — Lee A. Whinery, the 46-year-old worker who was blown off scaffolding when a fiery explosion rocked Virgin Oil Ltd., remained in critical condition this morning at the Akron Children’s Hospital burn unit.

Reports show the severity of the Lowellville man’s injuries as life threatening. The plant, at 1630 Wilson Ave., separates brine, oil and gas collected from well heads. The explosion took place in a holding tank at 2:18 p.m. Wednesday.

Aside from propelling the burn victim off scaffolding, the explosion blew out a side of the metal building. Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. said a representative of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency took samples for testing.

O’Neill said Capt. Ron Russo, while on a catwalk trying to get to the fire, ended up submerged in vat of product when the platform gave way. Luckily, the chief said, Capt. Roy Banks was behind Russo and pulled him out. Russo’s gear was ruined, as well as his radio. O’Neill said Russo left to take a shower, get fresh gear and then returned to the fire scene.