2 injured in propane blast at South Seattle business

An explosion rocked a metal fabricating plant in South Seattle Thursday morning, and two employees suffered minor injuries.

The plant warehouse is home to Independent Metals Recycling and is located at 830 Chicago St. in South Seattle.

The Seattle Fire Department determined the explosion was accidental and caused by a full or partially full propane cylinder being placed inadvertently into an industrial metal-recycling shredder. Investigators estimated damage at $175,000.

Mick O'Farrell, president of Independent Metals Recycling, agreed that a propane tank blew up. He said there was no fire.

Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick said all the workers inside the building had been accounted for. She said the sprinkler system went off inside the building.

Another Fire Department spokeswoman Dana Vander Houwen, who was at the scene, said 10 employees were working in the building at the time of the explosion and two suffered minor injuries. One was taken to Harborview Medical Center.

The blast caused metal roll-up doors to bulge, and siding was blown off the building, although the structure didn't appear damaged.

Tim Fahey, a neighbor, who lives two blocks away, said he was standing on his front porch and "I heard this boom," He walked over to the recycling plant and "I saw a gaping hole in the roof. It was incredible. It's an exciting Thursday morning in South Park."