Northrops Pascagoula Yard Evacuated After Explosion
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Around 7:35 Friday morning a fire lead to an explosion at Northrop Grumman’s Pascagoula, Mississippi shipyard.
The fire is thought to be the result of a busted acetylene line, which may have subsequently caused a gas line to explode. The explosion reportedly shook buildings in the area. The explosion occurred on land and not onboard a ship. Initial reports reveal no damage to any ships.
Pascagoula Fire Department responded to the incident but shipyard emergency response already had the fire under control and it was quickly distinguished.
Northrop Grumman has evacuated 2,000 craft employees who were working on two nearby amphibious ships, the LPD 22 and LPD 24. The San Antonio–class vessels are being constructed for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious-assault force. Work on these ships has been suspended for the second and third work shifts.
Bill Glenn, a spokesman for Northrop said is a statement that no one was injured and that the fire originated on land and not on a ship. He also noted that the fire was not the result of electrical problems.
Northrop Grumman and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating the incident.