A contractor was injured in a two-alarm fire at the GAF-Baltimore asphalt processing plant in Canton yesterday, sparking concern over industrial safety practices. The blaze began around 4:30 p.m., and fire crews were quickly dispatched to the 1500 block of Ponca Street, according to WBAL-TV. Thick black smoke from the fire was seen from Interstate 895, acting as a grim beacon of industrial distress in the heart of Baltimore.
Fire officials grappling with the complexities of an industrial fire faced the added danger of natural gas hazards. "We had to call in BGE right away to shut down the natural gas parts (and) we had to let some burn off. That's why it came to a second alarm," John Marsh, the public information officer with the Baltimore City Fire Department, said in a statement detailed by WBAL-TV. Efforts to contain the fire were controlled by around 5:10 P.M., as reported by FOX Baltimore.
The injured contractor, hospitalized with severe burns and smoke inhalation, is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. GAF thanked the Baltimore Fire Department and other first responders for quickly containing the fire. The company also praised its Baltimore team for safely evacuating everyone and confirmed that all other employees were unharmed.
The fire is believed to have been caused by asphalt leaking onto hot pipes and igniting. Officials do not suspect foul play but are continuing to investigate thoroughly. No additional details about the investigation or potential safety measures have been shared.
