Three employees from the main contractor at the Radford Arsenal were injured after a fire broke out at approximately 7:30 p.m. Monday evening.
The employees, who work for BAE Systems, were taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Wake Forest Hospital in North Carolina.
The incident occurred after nitrocellulose material in the drying process combusted and caused a flash fire, according to arsenal spokesperson Charles Saks.
“Mutual aid was activated with support from Radford City Fire and Rescue, Christiansburg EMS, REMSI and Pulaski County Company 3 Fire (Fairlawn) to respond to the fire,” wrote Army spokesperson Justine Barati in an email Tuesday morning.
She also wrote that production was shutdown and that the incident is under investigation. Barati said that she could not comment on the condition of the three employees injured due to privacy concerns.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those injured and their families. Their
care and welfare is our principal concern,” Barati wrote.
— Staff reports
