Local Plant Explosion Under Investigation
TOONE, Tenn-One Hardeman County resident said a Wednesday explosion at Kilgore in Toone, brings back devastating memories. “It’s like flashbacks,” Devin McKinnie said. “I’d hate for another family to go through what we have been through.” McKinnie’s cousin, Michael Chism, was severely burned in an explosion while working at the plant in February. He later died from his injuries. The cause of that incident is still under investigation. “I don’t think they get paid enough to work around the things that will kill them,” McKinnie said. Officials said no one was injured in Wednesday’s explosion and little damage was done to the building. Only employees who were in the building where the explosion occurred were required to evacuate the building for a few hours; but other employees were allowed to stay inside. In March, officials said more safety measures were put in place after Chism’s death. Some residents believe that is why no one was hurt on Wednesday. “It doesn’t bother me,” Charles Justise, a Toone resident said. “I have two daughters that work there and they’re well off and like it.” For others like McKinnie, the explosion is a reminder of how dangerous he said working at Kilgore can be.
