Truck blast injures eight at UPS facility in Kentucky

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An explosion damaged a UPS freight hub Wednesday morning in Kentucky’s second-largest city, sending multiple people to the hospital in what fire officials described as an accidental blast.

A truck exploded early Wednesday morning at a UPS Freight facility in Lexington, Ky., injuring eight employees and causing “significant structural damage” to the facility.

“UPS can confirm an explosion at the Lexington UPS Freight facility,” the company said in a statement.

“Two employees have been taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Initial reports indicate the cause may have been a gas leak from materials contained in a trailer. UPS is working with local authorities and cannot provide additional detail while there is an ongoing investigation.”

Fire department officials say fire damage was minimal in an explosion that rocked the UPS freight hub in Lexington, Kentucky.

Lexington Battalion Chief Jason Wells said the Wednesday morning blast included a small fire in the facility.

Wells confirmed eight people received medical attention but says they are “extremely lucky” the injuries weren’t worse.

Wells said two people taken to the hospital suffered from burns and possible concussions, and six others in the vicinity of the explosion were taken to the hospital for observation as a precaution.

 

Wells told news outlets that a truck and trailer with an acetylene tank exploded in the building. The cause of the explosion wasn’t yet known, but the blast wasn’t suspicious.

Fire officials say the facility has been evacuated and everyone is accounted for.

Lexington Battalion Chief, Jason Wells said a truck and trailer with an acetylene tank exploded in the building, news outlets reported. The cause of the explosion was not yet known, but the blast wasn’t suspicious.

“Nothing leads us to believe this is anything other than an accidental explosion,” the fire department tweeted.

The building on Blue Sky Parkway sustained significant damage, which was visible in the back of the building. The facility had been evacuated and everyone was accounted for, fire officials said.

Eight people received medical attention following the blast, Wells said. Two people taken to the hospital suffered from burns and possible concussions, and six others in the vicinity of the explosion were taken to the hospital for observation as a precaution, Wells said. Fire officials initially said about a dozen people received medical attention.

Lexington fire department spokeswoman Jessica Bowman said the building’s structural stability was being checked as part of an effort to determine what happened and how.

Businesses near the site reported a loud explosion shortly before 8 a.m. EDT. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and restricted access to the area.

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