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BRIGHAM CITY — One man is dead following a large explosion in a warehouse in Brigham City Tuesday.
About 7 a.m., a “significant” explosion was reported at HyPerComp Engineering, 156 S. 800 West, said Brigham City Police Lt. Tony Ferderber. HyPerComp manufactures pressure vessels, such as oxygen tanks, he said.
The victim, a man in his mid-30s who was an employee of the business, was the only person in the building at the time, Ferderber said. Employees at other businesses nearby heard the blast and called 911.
Investigators determined the man was transferring oxygen from a larger tank into a smaller tank, Ferderber said in a news release Tuesday afternoon. The business was found to have damage that resulted from an interior deflagration, he said.
“Something caused one of the tanks to rupture, which caused several other tanks to rupture, resulting in the deflagration,” Ferderber said.
The name of the victim was expected to be released later this week, according to Ferderber.
According to a statement released by HyPerComp President Daryl Thompson, “The employee was working with high pressure gas cylinders when the accident occurred. Normal operating procedures are in place for this operation and were being followed at the time.” .
The statement went on to say, “HyPerComp personnel are deeply saddened by this incident. The company employs fewer than 20 people who work like family.”
The explosion was powerful enough to blow metal siding off the side of the structure and blow out the windows of another business across the parking lot, Ferderber said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration along with Brigham City fire and Brigham City police investigated the incident, he said.
Officials estimated the cost of the damage exceeds $250,000. No other injuries were reported.
