1 Worker Killed, 2 Hurt in Blast
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One worker was killed and two were injured Sunday when a turbine engine exploded at a Kearny Mesa industrial plant, authorities said.
The accident occurred about 6:40 p.m. in a work yard at Solar Turbines Inc. on Ruffin Road when a compressor undergoing an air pressure test exploded, company spokesman Larry Sera said.
The two injured men, who were not identified late Sunday, were taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital. One man suffered burns to his shoulder; the other suffered a broken wrist and second- and third-degree burns.
“A cap came off the compressor,” Sera said. “I don’t know if the cap hit the men or the blast of air got them.”
Remaining employees were sent home after the accident, he said.
The compressor is normally used to compress natural gas but was undergoing a routine test at the time of the explosion, officials said.
Solar Turbines manufactures gas turbine engines and places them in machines that compress gas, generate electricity or pump liquids, Sera said.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration will look into the accident today, authorities said.
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