Contract Worker Killed in IP Explosion

REDWOOD, MS—An explosion rocked International Paper’s Vicksburg, MS, containerboard plant last Saturday, killing a contract employee and injuring 17. Four of the injured—also contract workers—remained in critical condition at a burn center in Augusta, GA.

A boiler explosion killed 28-year-old Marcus Broome, who died on the scene of chest injuries. Five others were transported to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, according to the Vicksburg (MS) Post. At press time, one victim had been released while the other four remained critical.

The contract workers had been performing maintenance. More than 300 International Paper employees were at the mill at the time of the blast, but were not injured, the Post reported. Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials told the paper that its investigation could take six months.