The investigation into the cause of a Wednesday afternoon explosion at a Logan Township, N.J., cocoa butter processor continues, though the conditions have improved for some victims injured in the blast.
Following the explosion, which rocked Gloucester County and the surrounding area just after 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, five people were hospitalized. Three people were transported to Cooper University Hospital, which has since treated and released one patient, and stabilized two others, who were later transported to Temple Burn Center in Philadelphia, Cooper spokesperson Wendy Marano said.
The conditions of the other two people injured in the blast were not immediately clear Thursday. In the immediate aftermath of the explosion Wednesday, four people were in critical condition, and a fifth person in a neighboring building experienced a medical incident that required treatment, Gloucester County officials previously said.
“This is the largest industrial accident that I can recall,” Logan Township Police Chief Joseph Flatley said at a news conference Wednesday. “It was a terrible tragedy that took place out here.”
Emergency workers responded to an explosion at 617 Heron Drive in Logan Township at about 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday. The blast prompted a shelter-in-place order for homes and businesses within a two-mile radius of the facility, impacting roughly 7,200 people living within the affected area.
What caused the explosion was not yet clear Thursday. Gloucester County officials and officials in the Logan Township Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Officials on Wednesday, however, indicated that the blast emanated from a building operated by Savita Naturals, a company that describes itself on its website as a “provider of specialty oil extractions and related services.”
The company, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Rebecca Forand said Wednesday, serves as a processor in the cocoa and chocolate industry. As part of its work, the company utilizes propane — a highly flammable gas Savita Naturals has called its “solvent of choice” for botanical extractions.
Propane, officials said Wednesday, was used in the company’s production processes, and a large amount of it was stored on the facility’s premises. In the aftermath of Wednesday’s blast, a ruptured propane tank could be seen burning amid the collapsed building’s wreckage.
A highly flammable gas, propane is a commonly preferred solvent for extraction of natural compounds and oils. The chemical, Savita Naturals indicates on its website, “produces the highest yields at intermediate cost without sacrificing quality.”
It does, however, present some dangers. In high concentrations, it can decrease the amount of oxygen in the air, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Propane is also naturally colorless and odorless, and often has an odorant added to aid in detection. Airborne exposure can result in headaches and dizziness, as well as fainting.
Savita Naturals could not immediately be reached for comment.
Officials on Wednesday lifted the shelter-in-place order shortly after the explosion, noting that there were no ongoing hazards, despite ongoing monitoring efforts from emergency responders. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was notified of the situation, and burn-off of remaining gas continued on-site early Thursday.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill indicated Wednesday that her office was informed about the situation, and was monitoring developments.
“We are actively supporting with resource coordination and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the safety of residents and support those impacted,” Sherrill said.
