Four Ameren employees were working to repair a gas leak in Canton, IL on Wednesday when an explosion occurred at 5:45 p.m. killing one of them and injuring 11 other people. Police confirmed that the name of the Ameren employee who died was Arturo Silva, Jr.
Residents who live blocks from the powerful explosion, in the 10 block of North 1st Avenue, described their homes shaking as though an earthquake had struck. The blast knocked out power in the area and damaged several buildings, breaking windows and cracking walls. Many people were forced to evacuate. The Salvation Army is helping those who were displaced.
One man, 68, is hospitalized at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL. He is said to be in fair condition. Three people were admitted to Graham Hospital in Canton, their status is unknown. Seven others were treated and released. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the explosion.
Ameren attributed the cause of the blast to a third-party contractor in a statement
“At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, an Ameren Illinois gas crew responded to the scene of a gas leak in which a third party contractor ruptured an underground gas service line in downtown Canton, Illinois, located approximately 40 minutes southwest of Peoria. The Ameren Illinois crew was in the process of making repairs outside of the structure when an explosion occurred. One Ameren Illinois worker was fatally injured. Three others were treated at local hospitals.
The cause of the explosion is being investigated.
We express our deep sadness and profound sympathies to the family of our fallen Ameren Illinois worker and ask everyone to please keep his family and the families of the injured in their thoughts and prayers. The utility business is a close brotherhood, and our family is hurting.”
People who are injured in explosions often suffer severe injuries that require specialized treatment often over an extended period of time. Our firm represents people who have been injured in explosions and the families of those who died from their injuries. To contact our explosion lawyers for a free consultation, click here or call toll-free 1(888) 377-8900.
Sources:
http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/BREAKING–401586196.html
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/oh-lake/one-dead-after-outbreak-of-legionnaires-disease-in-lake-county