Chattanooga, Tennessee – An explosion at a liquid nitriding facility in Chattanooga resulted in one man being hospitalized due to a chemical reaction, according to Chattanooga firefighters. The incident occurred at TS USA on Windtower Drive at around 9 a.m. on Thursday.
The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) responded to reports of a commercial fire at the facility, which houses a state-of-the-art bath nitriding line. The building contains large cylinders with a hot solution that can react with water, potentially leading to dangerous chemical reactions.
Firefighters believe that a chemical reaction triggered the explosion and subsequent fire at the facility. Prior to their arrival, employees had managed to extinguish the fire and provide assistance to a colleague who sustained burns in the incident.
Upon arrival, responding firefighters immediately attended to the injured man and ensured that the fire was completely put out. The injured individual, who suffered extensive burns, was taken to the hospital by Hamilton County EMS for further treatment. Additionally, three other workers received treatment for minor burns as a result of the explosion.
In response to the involvement of hazardous chemicals, emergency responders evacuated the building to prevent any potential risks. Despite the evacuation, the Chattanooga Fire Department reassured that there was no immediate threat to the surrounding area, alleviating concerns about further impact from the incident.