Monday, November 12, 2007

Explosion

Max Bitter, SJR

Big news in Springfield last night:
The CWLP plant at Lake Springfield blew up.

On a quiet fall evening, the plant exploded at 6:50 pm.
No one was killed. But the plant is a wipe.
Walls gone, holes in the ceiling, turbine and generator, kaput.

Even worse, the 1936 plant was full of asbestos.
Which has now seeped into the lake.
So, no one may go into the water
or drink it.

Talk about a crisis.
I hope that all the '58s in Springfield
are safe and able to get water and power.

Please send us comments
and let us know how you are coping.

Full story, pictures, and video are at
the State Journal-Register site.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fortunately there were no injuries at all with this explosion. The explosion vibrations could be felt as far north as North Grand Avenue. I was at a gathering in Chatham close to Lake Springfield and was totally unaware of the explosion until the next day, so as you can tell, the effects were varied. Our electricity was undisturbed, thank goodness. We were very lucky that the aftermath to the general public has been negligible. The word is that our electric bills will not go up to pay for repairs, as the city has insurance to cover everything. The repairs are expected to cost in the millions. We were all very lucky in many respects. The asbestos that was expelled in the explosions is floating on the lake and so the lake is off limits to all at this point. No fishing and no boating. The water supply is safe, due to the filtration of the water for consumption.

Judy Vicars Van Hagen

Anonymous said...

Thanks to Judy for letting us know how things are in Springfield. I just can't imagine that huge plant exploding. I had visions of all of you schlepping to the water buffalo and doing without electricity so the news is fantastic.

Barbara

Anonymous said...

Thanks Judy and Will for sharing this tragic news, but thank God it was not worse.

God bless,
Tom Downs