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Three construction workers burned in explosion
Three construction workers were treated for burns after a freak accident led to a propane explosion and fire at a Robinson construction site.
The three Mistick Construction workers -- Christopher McCartney, 27, of Hunker; Bob Mardis, 28, of Ruffdale; and Bob Karfelt, 43, of Vanderbilt -- were taken to Mercy Hospital in Uptown and treated for first and second degree burns, mostly to their faces and hands. Hospital spokeswoman Linda K. Ross said that the construction workers were awake and alert, but probably wouldn't be released today.
"Because they're burned, and burns are serious injuries, they're listed in serious condition," she said.
The workers were switching propane tanks in a unit on Village Drive in Groveton Village, a public housing complex being reconstructed, when they dropped the tank while carrying it down a flight of steps. The tank started leaking propane, which was sparked from the heater in the basement and exploded.
"It literally blew the first floor," said Kenny Kisow, chief of the Groveton Fire Department.
Shawn Dixon, one of the other construction workers, heard a big bang while he was in the office trailer. Dixon, also a Duquesne firefighter, got out his gear and fought the fire with five companies from the Robinson area.
"It was just a big ball of flames," Dixon said. Three fire companies from Robinson -- Groveton, Moon Run and Forest Grove -- battled the blaze for about 45 minutes with the Neville Island Fire Department, and damage was minimized. Only the unit where the explosion occurred was damaged.
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