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OSHA investigating after explosion at laboratory near Nederland left three AmSpec employees injured

One of the three injured employees has since been released from the hospital.

NEDERLAND, Texas — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation after three people were injured in an explosion near Nederland Saturday.

It happened at AmSpec, LLC. located in the 4600 block of Jerry Ware Drive, according to a Jefferson County Sheriff's Office release. Shortly after 5 p.m., multiple 911 calls were made regarding an explosion at the building. 

Crews with the Nederland Fire Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Acadian Ambulance and the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management responded to the scene. 

Nederland Fire Chief Terry Morton said a "small explosion and a flash fire" left three AmSpec employees injured. The explosion and flash fire happened during testing in the lab, according to the release.

All three employees were treated at the scene and later flown to UTMB and Hermann Memorial Hospitals. One of the men has since been released from the hospital, Nederland Fire Chief Terry Morton told 12News.

OSHA began collecting information when they were made aware of the incident Saturday and opened an investigation Monday.

"No other information will be available until the investigation is complete," an OSHA representative told 12News. 

Emergency crews instructed a 12News crew at the scene to move farther away because the explosion was deemed "toxic." Chief Morton said the public was never in any danger..

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From a Jefferson County Sheriff's Office release:

This afternoon, 04/08/2023 at 5:05 p.m., 911 calls were made in reference to an explosion a AmSpec, LLC., 4665 Jerry Ware Drive, Nederland, Texas. Nederland Fire Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Acadian Ambulance and the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management responded.  

Nederland Fire Chief Terry Morton advised that 3 AmSpec employees were injured due to a small explosion and a flash fire while conducting testing in the lab.  All three were treated at the scene and transported by air to UTMB and Hermann Memorial Hospitals.  Chief Morton advised that at no time was there a danger to the public.

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