Boiler explodes at 3M; one injured

Justin Messner/Daily Mail-- Emergency responders assess the situation at 3M after one of the company's boliers exploded.

The word spread like wildfire -- a boiler explosion had taken place at 3M's Nevada plant just before 11 o'clock this morning.

At least one person was injured, according to early reports from those at the scene, but injuries did not appear life-threatening. Unconfirmed reports from a number of plant employees identified the man as Jim Norris, a maintenance employee.

There was little family members of 3M employees could do except wait and worry as firefighters responded to the scene.

Kitty Bear and her family live a little more than five miles to the east of the plant. Bear said she heard a loud explosion, and "you could just feel everything vibrating. We thought it was something at Camp Clark at first -- we wondered if they were shooting artillery or something," but after turning on a police scanner, they learned an explosion had taken place at 3M.

Bear was thankful of one thing -- a family member employed at 3M had the day off today.

By 11:15 a.m., emergency crews were hard at work. Meanwhile, workers were getting word to family members that although the boiler had exploded, no life-threatening injuries had been reported so far.

"We did have employees in the area doing routine maintenanc," said David Clauss, plant manager, "but it is not a very populated area."

One family member said she'd been told, "It's a mess, but there don't appear to be any injuries."

By 11:35 a.m., emergency responders were transporting a worker; little more information was forthcoming.

Clauss did not name any injured party but did confirm that one person was transported to Nevada Regional Medical Center with what Clauss called minor injuries, for observation.

3M's internal Emergency Response Team was the first on the scene led by Kathy Cartwright, an Incident Command Officer, and Clauss praised the company's own emergency response.

"I'm very proud of how our team responded," said Clauss, "We train them and spend a lot of time with them making sure they are prepared."

Clauss reported that the No. 2 east boiler was believed to be the only major property lost in the explosion.

The cause of the boiler malfunction is still unknown, however outside agents were contacted to inspect other boilers in the plant.

Clauss said the matter will be investigated further; more information could be available as early as this afternoon.

3M Nevada employs about 640 people and has been a fixture in Nevada for more than 35 years.

Clauss said that to his knowledge, no incidents similar to today's boiler mishap have occurred at the Nevada plant.