An early morning explosion at the International Paper plant in Manson injured several employees, county officials said Tuesday. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office reported the blast just before 4 a.m., and first responders treated multiple workers for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
According to The Charlotte Observer, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook that “first responders arrived on scene shortly thereafter and assisted a few employees with non-life-threatening injuries.” The Observer noted that authorities had not released an exact count of those hurt.
Plant and company
International Paper lists Manson among its U.S. facilities and describes the site as part of its network producing fiber-based packaging and recycling solutions. The company says its plants manufacture packaging that “protects and promotes goods” while supporting recycling efforts, according to International Paper.
Emergency response and investigation
Ridgeway Fire Department took incident command at the scene, and the North Carolina Hazmat regional response team was called in. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating, according to The Charlotte Observer. County officials said traffic on U.S. 1 was diverted while crews worked to secure the area.
Details remain limited, and officials have not disclosed the exact number of workers injured. The situation is under active investigation by state and local authorities, and this report will be updated as agencies and the company release additional information.
