Explosion Damages UPS Freight Hub in Kentucky -- Update

By Jon Kamp

An explosion at a Lexington, Ky., United Parcel Service Inc. freight facility Wednesday morning sent several people to the hospital and prompted an evacuation, according to the local fire department.

Jason Wells, a battalion chief at the Lexington Fire Department, said the explosion appears to have started with a truck and trailer that had acetylene gas, which is used for welding.

"Nothing leads us to believe this is anything other than an accidental explosion," the fire department said.

The cause remains under investigation, and the fire department is working with local police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. UPS said it is working with officials on the investigation.

A total of eight people were transported to the hospital, the department said, including two with non-life-threatening injuries and six others who were taken in for observation. All workers have been accounted for.

The explosion occurred shortly before 8 a.m. EDT in Kentucky's second-largest city. There was "significant" structural damage to the building, particularly the walls and roof, the fire department said.

--Paul Ziobro contributed to this article.

Write to Jon Kamp at jon.kamp@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 30, 2018 13:01 ET (17:01 GMT)

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024