Leak preceded foundry blasts

TACOMA – Investigators believe some sort of leak occurred before a fiery explosion at a Tacoma foundry that shut down a highway, cut power to thousands and critically injured the driver of a propane tanker truck.

“We know there was a transfer of product from the truck to the stationary tanks, and somewhere along that way a leak developed,” Assistant Fire Chief Dave Crotty said. “It found an ignition source, but we don’t know what that ignition source was.”

A massive fireball erupted amid a series of explosions at the Atlas Castings and Technology foundry Saturday afternoon while a truck loaded with about 8,000 gallons of propane was making a delivery.

Authorities evacuated several blocks around the foundry and shut down a quarter-mile-long stretch of the Highway 16 overpass as fire spread to two nearby propane storage tanks.

The Atlas foundry has open furnaces used to melt metal, and welding occurs at the plant, Crotty said.

Atlas Chief Executive Duane Britschgi said he was not aware of any welding that was taking place near the site of the explosions.

Investigators have said it could take days to pinpoint a precise cause of the initial blast.

Charles McDonald, 64, a driver for IXL Transportation Services, remained in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on Monday. Three others suffered minor injuries.

About 32 employees were working at the plant Saturday.

An electrical substation was destroyed, knocking out power to about 13,000 homes and businesses served by Tacoma Power. Electricity was restored to all customers by Sunday, spokeswoman Chris Gleason said.

The Atlas foundry dates back to 1899, when the company made iron castings for the Northwest logging industry. The company still produces castings but now supplies a variety of industries from shipbuilding to offshore oil drilling.