Two blast victims flown to Miami
The two NFM employees who sustained first degree burns in Wednesday night’s blast at the Edible Oil Complex at National Flour Mills on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, were due to be flown last night to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The two, Wendell Blenman, 36, and Sunil Persad, 30, were carded to be taken to Piarco Airport at 9 pm last night and then flown by First Flight Air Ambulance Ltd. Their medical bills will be covered by the NFM. Newsday learnt that Trinidad does not have the facilities, equipment and medical expertise to take care of victims of first degree burns. Initial investigations by the Fire Services have revealed that a gas leak is believed to be responsible for the massive explosion which resulted in the two employees being badly burnt. Fire officers probing the blast yesterday said that the gas leak in the preparation area of the Edible Oil Complex was linked to the explosion. The massive explosion which rocked Woodbrook forced the NFM compound to be cordoned off on Wednesday night, and steps were taken yesterday to rectify the problem. A release from NFM stated that the company will cover all of the medical requirements of the two men who suffered first degree burns in the blast, and measures have been put in place to provide overseas medical assistance. Yesterday, the two victims were warded in serious condition at St Clair Medical Centre. Persad’s wife told Newsday that he is coming along well, but she did not want to be interviewed on the matter. She added that she was pleased with NFM’s response. The NFM release stated that families of the injured men as well as other employees who have been affected by the incident would receive adequate and relevant counselling and treatment deemed necessary in response to the possible effects of the accident. NFM also noted that the explosion may have resulted from operational malfunction, which was still being investigated by NFM’s internal safety professionals, and by the Fire Services. Fire prevention officers inspected the area of the explosion yesterday, and the automatic fire suppression system which is part of the building’s safety mechanism, reportedly assisted in containing the blaze. NFM also assured that there will be little disruption in the distribution of goods and services to customers. The United National Congress also issued a press release yesterday renewing its demand for the Government to proclaim the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) without further delay. "We believe that the PNM has insulted and attacked the will of the people as expressed in the unanimous passing of the legislation in the House of Representatives in December, 2003, and the Senate in January, 2004, by its refusal to have the Act proclaimed," the release stated. Pregnant wife of burn victim: My husband said NFM was unsafe With these words, tears came streaming down the face of Lisa Blenman, wife of National Flour Mills (NFM) burn victim, Wendell Blenman. But the company, in a release yesterday, noted that the explosion may have resulted from operational malfunction. NFM said its internal safety professionals, as well as the Fire Services, were investigating the blast. In addition, NFM told of its automatic fire suppression system which is part of the building’s safety mechanism. When Newsday spoke with Lisa, who is six months pregnant, the couple’s six-year-old son, Sadell Blenman, repeatedly asked for his father. The family lives at George Street, Manahambre Road, San Fernando. Blenman, 36, was one of two employees severely burnt in an explosion in the preparation plant at the Edible Oil Complex at NFM. She said her husband is a utility attendant, but also carried out duties as a plant operator. "Wendell always complained of flaws on the plant. He tired telling me that the plant was unsafe," Lisa said. She has already made arrangements to join her husband if he is sent abroad for medical assistance. Blenman, 36, utility attendant at NFM for the past eight years, and Sunil Persad, 30, preparation technician, of Munroe Road, Cunupia, were badly burnt in the explosion. Blenman sustained burns to his head, face and feet. Two other workers identified as Ann Marie Thorne, 32, of Union Road, Diego Martin, and Frederick Marcano, 38, of Dillon Street, Diego Martin, were treated and discharged for minor injuries. Blenman’s mother, Shirley, yesterday said she was so horrified about the incident that her body went numb. A release from NFM yesterday stated that the company would pay the cost of all medical bills, including possible treatment abroad.
"My husband always complained of poor safety on his job."
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"Two blast victims flown to Miami"