“Officials of the Portsmouth Area A-plant are continuing an investigation of an explosion which killed one and injured two workmen Tuesday noon.”
“James F. Sands, 58, of 1607 Sixth Street, and Leonard A. Dingler, 31, of Piketon, burned in the blast, rested comfortably Tuesday night at Mercy Hospital and were improved today.”
“Funeral services for Arthur M. Thompson, 39, of Dayton, killed in the blast, will be held at 10:30 AM Friday in the Schlentz-Moore Brothers funeral home, Dayton. Cremation will follow the service.”
“The trio was checking a big condenser for leaks when the explosion occurred. The condense is about 30 feet long and 15 high. The condense is used to stabilize electric current used to power motors at the plant. Hydrogen is used as a coolant.”
“The repair crew was draining hydrogen from the cooling section when it exploded. Mr. Thompson apparently was standing directly in front of the condense and received the full force of the blast. He was hurled over the parapet and dropped about 20 feet to the tracks below.”
“Mr. Sands and Mr. Dingler were standing to one side of the opening from which the flame emitted and were burned and bruised.”
“Use of hydrogen to cool condensers is not uncommon to the electrical industry and similar accident have occurred. When the hydrogen is drained off it normally dissipates into the atmosphere. What caused the hydrogen to explode has not been determined.”
“Electricians have not been able to enter the condenser to determine the extent of damage.”
“Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ann Thompson and two sons, Bruce and Donald Thompson and his mother, Mrs. Lillian Thompson of Dayton. He was killed on the eighth anniversary of the death of his father, Mathis B. Thompson. He was employed by General Electric Company.”
“Boyer Funeral home of Waverly removed the body from the plant.”1
