BALTIMORE --
An executive with New Jersey-based Domino Foods said Baltimore's Domino Sugar plant could resume operations by Friday.
The company's president of sales and marketing, Brian O'Malley, said the nine-story building is getting an extensive overhaul and cleaning. He said the building is structurally sound, but work crews need to remove broken glass and clean floors and equipment.
The explosion Friday forced the evacuation of about 175 workers and blew out numerous windows.
The cause has not been determined, but O'Malley said officials are looking at a dust collection system and an area where confectionary sugar is refined.
Refinery Manager Stuart FitzGibbon said the plant is expected to resume partial operation by Friday and return to full operation shortly afterward.
"This is typical of the Domino Sugar Baltimore plant's culture," FitzGibbon said in a prepared statement. "The motto here is 'There's nothing we can't do.'"
The explosion at the historic plant occurred just before 10 a.m. Friday, causing two fires that grew to three alarms by 10:30 a.m. City Fire Department spokesman Kevin Cartwright said all of the fires were extinguished by noon.
Two people suffered minor injuries.
FitzGibbon said the quick response of the city's fire department, the training and response of plant employees and the "grace of God" prevented more injuries and damage.
State regulators are involved in the fire investigation. They last inspected the plant in February for what they called "housekeeping issues" in the part of the plant that makes granulated sugar. No violations were noted.
Stay with WBAL TV 11 News and WBALTV.com for updates.
Previous Stories:
- November 3, 2007: Officials: Domino Sugar Could Open Within A Week
- November 2, 2007: Firefighters Battle Blaze After Explosion At Domino Sugar
