Worker hurt in blast at Bryan tire factory

11/23/2008

BRYAN One person was hurt Sunday at the Titan Tire Corp. plant where a steam explosion hurled a 5,000-pound piece of equipment through the plant s ceiling onto the roof. There was no fire, authorities said.

Daryl Williamson, 58, of Camden, Mich., was treated at Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers in Bryan, according to the hospital.

He was operating a tire machine when the steam explosion occurred about 2:50 a.m. due to a rapid steam release, Fire Chief Bruce Siders said.

No damage estimate has been made.

The plant makes off-highway wheels, such as those on dump trucks and bulldozers that are used in mining work, Chief Siders said.