Partial production of munitions resumed at the Radford Arsenal Thursday, and facilities will be fully operational by Monday, according to Army spokesperson Justine Barati.
Three workers employed by BAE Systems, the main contractor at the Radford Arsenal, were burned after a fire broke out Monday evening.
Dakota Grimmett, Andrew Goad and Travis Mitchell were taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s burn unit.
According to the North Carolina hospital’s spokesperson, Mitchell has been released, but Grimmett and Goad remain in critical condition.
The incident occurred after explosive nitrocellulose material in the drying process combusted and caused a flash fire according to arsenal spokesperson Charles Saks.
Barati wrote in an email that the fire lasted for approximately 40 minutes.
“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,” Barati wrote Tuesday morning.
She wrote on Thursday that when there is a large fire, the arsenal has mutual support agreements with surrounding communities.
“This is standard practice. [RAAP’s] fire unit also helps surrounding communities, when requested,” she wrote.
According to Barati, the Army as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are conducting investigations that will last several months.
She also noted that professional counselors remain onsite for employees who need to speak with someone.
Brian Gathright, vice president and general manager BAE Systems Ordnance Systems, Inc., released a statement Thursday.
“Our employees take great pride in producing superior propellants to support
the important work of our men and women in uniform,” Gathright stated “The work is difficult, yet also deeply rewarding, supplying critical products to successfully fulfill important missions and protect our servicemen and women.”
RFAAP employs nearly 1,200 people, making it one of the largest manufacturing employers in the New River Valley area.
The plant is owned by the U.S. Army and operated by BAE Systems. The Radford facility is a leading producer of military-grade propellants for the U.S. Department of Defense.
