The 2008 Georgia sugar refinery explosion was an industrial disaster that occurred on February 7, 2008 in Port Wentworth, Georgia, United States. Thirteen people were killed and 42 injured when a dust explosion occurred at a sugar refinery owned by Imperial Sugar. Dust explosions had been an issue of concern amongst United States authorities since three fatal accidents in 2003, with efforts made to improve safety and reduce the risk of recurrence. However, a safety board had criticized this as inadequate.
The refinery was large and old, featuring outdated construction methods. This is thought to have contributed to the fire's severity. The origin of the explosion has been narrowed down to the center of the factory, and is believed to be a basement beneath storage silos. Investigations are ongoing, although deliberate criminal activity has been ruled out.
As a result of the disaster new safety legislation has been proposed, while the local economy has slumped because the factory remains offline, although Imperial intends to rebuild it and return to production by the end of 2008, with replacement buildings completed by Summer the following year. Legal action has been filed by some victims against the owner and the company hired to clean it. Imperial also say the explosion was the main reason for a major loss in the first quarter of 2008.
Read more about 2008 Georgia Sugar Refinery Explosion: Background, Explosion and Emergency Response, Investigation, Aftermath
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