An explosion and fire left one worker dead, five more hospitalised and a further four with minor injuries at a polymer resin plant at a paint factory in Columbus, US, on 8 April.

The initial explosion at Yenkin-Majestic Paints and OPC polymers occurred when a metallic kettle reactor, heated by a gas furnace, burst during manufacturing of alkyd polyester resin, according to updates from the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).

The ensuing fire caused multiple smaller explosions of chemicals and products stored in tanks, resulting in part of the OPC Polymers building collapsing. The employee who was killed was found in the remains of this part of the building after the fire had been extinguished. The CSB and the companies are working to assess the damage and fully investigate the cause of the incident.