Wood pellet manufacturer fire In Hazlehurst injures four
HAZLEHURST, Ga. (WTGS) — An explosion at a wood pellet manufacturing plant in Hazlehurst has sent 4 people to the hospital.
According to Jeff Davis Sheriff, Preston Bohannon, the fire began shorty after 4:30 pm Thursday. The plant known as the Hazelhurst Wood Pellet Company is located east of Hazelhurst on highway 341.
Bohannon said 2 burn victims had to be flown by emergency medical helicopter to a hospital but was unable to provide the location. 2 other burn victims were treated at a local area hospital. Bohannon said he was able to see flames from inside the building at its height.
Hazelhurst/Jeff Davis County Fire Chief and EMA Director, Charles Wasdin said a an explosion was heard inside the factory, but was unable to determine what may have caused it. Wasdin said the plant had recently upgraded its sprinkler system which helped firefighters tremendously. According to Wasdin they are currently in mop up operations putting out hot spots which may flair up. He expects to have everything extinguished within the next hour.
Wasdin said 45 firefighters helped put out the fire and a tanker truck from Wheeler county was on hand to assist as well as the Jeff Davis County Sheriffs Office.
The Hazlehurst Post provided the picture for this story.
