Update 8-22-08
The 14th victim has died at the Augusta Burn Center, 6 months after the explosion. Malcolm Frazier, 46, died at 12:50AM this morning.
Update 7-29-08
Today, Imperial Sugar testified before Congress about the recent release of the findings that OSHA found at the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth, GA. VP of Operations, Graham H. Graham said, "I visited the Port Wentworth plant two weeks prior to the Port Wentworth explosion. Housekeeping efforts were improved and in my opinion they couldn't have been any worse," he said during his testimony. "Port Wentworth safety coordinators had identified 400 safety violations since December. During the meeting I congratulated the management team on their efforts however there was still a long way to go."
CEO John Sheptor replied to this testimony, saying that his communication with Graham implied that the safety measures taken at the refinery were very significant.
Update 7-25-08 12:11PM
OSHA has fined the Imperial Sugar Refinery nearly 9 million, 5 million for the Port Wentworth Plant and 4 more for the Louisiana Plant. Of those violations, 61 were egregious violations, eight were willful, and 51 were serious violations. They say Imperial Sugar should have cleaned the plant and that the accident could have been avoided. This is the third largest fine that OSHA has ever issued. Imperial Sugar will fight the allegations.
Update April 18
CEO John Sheptor announced today that he is indeed planning on rebuilding the damaged section on the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth. Sheptor says that it will be one of the most modern sugar refinery facilities in the country. It is expected to be complete by next summer.
Update March 17
One more victim has died at the Augusta Burn Center. The name will not be released for personal reasons. The death toll now stands at 13.
Update Feb. 26
News Channel 15 has just learned that another victim has been claimed by the sugar refinery fire. The death count stands at 12. 12 other people remain in critical condition at the Joseph M Still Burn Center in Augusta.
Update Feb. 24
The eleventh person has died as a result of the Imperial Sugar Refinery Fire. The name of the victim has not been released at this time. 14 people remain at the hospital.
Update Feb. 20
120 people have returned to work at the Imperial Sugar Refinery after the explosion last Thursday. Nearly 100 trucks full of sugar are now en route to stores that carry Dixie Crystal Sugar Products.
PORT WENTWORTH, GA (WTOC) - In a 2:20pm news conference by Capt. Matt Stanley of Savannah Fire and Rescue and Sgt. Mike Wilson of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, officials clarified the confirmed number of dead in Thursday's tragic explosion.
Local officials can only confirm three deaths, saying now that only three people remain unaccounted for.
The three bodies have been recovered and will be sent to a medical examiner.
While he says there's always room for hope, Capt. Stanley said, "We switched from a rescue to recovery this morning."
Capt. Stanley says the fire is now under control, though "there are going to be hot spots probably for days."
Recovery efforts are being hindered by water from sprinklers and firefighting efforts, as well as the instability of the structure due to fire damage.
About the Victims
Of the about 20 people taken to burn centers in Augusta, the victim in the worst shape is burned over 94 percent of the body. All patients are at least 30 percent burned. Several are at 70 percent or more.
Fifteen victims remain in critical condition, three in serious.
The victims range in age from around 18 years old to the mid 50s. Only three people are conscious right now.
Surgeons have already done operated as many as ten times. More surgeries are to come.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, though an Imperial Sugar officer did say it could be the result of a sugar dust explosion.
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Imperial Sugar Refinery Blast: One Year Laterby newschannel157,767 views
very good source of information - keep up the good work
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