Savona Inergy Midstream L.L.C. reopens
Victims recovering after blast
BY JEFFERY SMITH GATEHOUSE MEDIA

JASON COX/GATEHOUSE MEDIA Emergency personnel clean up after an explosion Monday at the Inergy Midstream L.L.C. storage facility.

SAVONA - A Sayre. Pennsylvania, ma n remained in guarded condition Tuesday, March 11, a day after suffering burns to more than 25 percent of his body during an explosion at Inergy Midstream L.L.C. storage facility.

Ronald Barrett, 39, is one of three men being treated at Strong Memorial Hospital for burns sustained during the explosion and flash fire at the Eagle Valley Road facility.

Rodney West, 47, and his son, Jed West, 22, both of Pavilion, are both listed in satisfactory condition. Each are being treated for burns to their face, neck and hands.

Tanner West, 19, of Pavilion, was also injured during the accident. He was treated for burns to his face and hand and released from the Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in Bath.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with these individuals and their families," said Debbie Hagen, an Inergy spokesperson. "We have contained the area and are cooperating with local and state officials to investigate the cause of the incident."

Barrett is an Inergy employee. The West family owns and operates Gas Field Specialists Inc. of Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania.

The incident took place at about 1 p.m. Monday, March 10, while Gas Field Specialists was servicing a well that has not been in use since 1995.

The old well services an in active underground storage cavern, said Randy Nemecek, regional supervisor for natural resources at the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The work was being done to determine if the cavern could be used to store natural gas.

It's believed the drill struck a pocket of gas, which rose to the surface through the drill opening. The men realized the gas was escaping and tried to flee. As they ran from the drilling platform the gas was ignited by a pump motor causing the explosion and flash fire.

"The fire lasted about 30 seconds," Nemecek said.

Nemecek said DEC officials inspected the drilling operation prior to the work Monday and are now investigating the accident.

"(DEC) inspectors were there Monday and (Tuesday)," Nemecek said. "We have most of the information. We hope to wrap up the investigation in the next two or three days."

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials were also on scene Tuesday to ensure safe working conditions for employees.

Barry Chigick, vice president of operations at the plant, said the facility reopened at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Inergy Midstream L.L.C. stores propane and butane. The facility's ability to load and unload products has not been compromised and the incident did not occur at an area used for commercial storage.