Six people have been unaccounted for in the resulting blaze that firefighters are still battling to get under control. At least 42 people were injured in the explosion.
“There was an explosion into the air with debris and a fireball that was probably five or six times as tall as the tallest trees here,” said Lt. Alan Baker of the Port Wentworth Police Department. “It’s the biggest explosion I’ve ever seen in my life.”
The Savannah Fire Department are using a tug boat on the Savannah River to blast water into the blaze. Because of the damage and flames firefighters have found it difficult to enter into the four story plant’s building.
Ambulances and emergency workers are on the scene. Twelve countries have sent their crews to help with the situation.
Memorial Health emergency room doctor Dr. Jay Goldstein said many of the victims that have gone through his triage station are in critical care. Some of the victims have been transported via helicopter to Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. Other burn centers are also receiving victims.
At this time there are no listed deaths.
The refinery is a major employer for the town just northwest of Savannah.
