Worker burned in plant blast remains 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.

Damage to the Virgin Oil Ltd. property and contents was estimated at $70,000.

STAFF REPORT

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 at the Akron Children’s Hospital burn unit late Thursday.

Reports show the severity of the Lowellville man’s injuries as life- threatening. The explosion took place in a holding tank at 2:18 p.m. Wednesday.

The plant, a materials recovery system at 1630 Wilson Ave., separates heavy metals/dirt from gas well water before it goes to waste treatment, said Larry Frangos, business owner and president.

Aside from propelling the burn victim off scaffolding, the explosion blew out a side of the building. Damage to the property and contents was estimated at $70,000.

Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. said the cause remains under investigation. He said a representative of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency took samples for testing and will follow through with inspection of runoff from firefighting that made its way into the sewer system.

Frangos said his initial report from the EPA was that everything looked OK. “Everything on scene we had permits for,” he said.

O’Neill said Capt. Ron Russo, while on a catwalk trying to get to the fire, ended up submerged in a 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.