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Two hurt in trucking company accident

Neighbors report hearing explosion at Metzler Bros.

Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski Local police, fire and EMS personnel were on the scene Wednesday at Metzler Bros. LCC trucking company in Duncansville where two men were injured in an accident.

DUNCANSVILLE — Two men were taken by ambulance to an area hospital Wednesday following an explosion at Metzler Bros. LLC trucking company, but details about what caused the accident are scarce.

About 1:20 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the Blair Township business at 709 Second Ave. to find one man trapped inside a large fuel tank, which can be hauled by heavy trucks, Duncanville Volunteer Fire Company Assistant Chief Craig Hazlett said.

The two men, Metzler employees, were cleaning the tank — used to haul fuel — at the time of the accident, Hazlett said.

“One of them fell down inside the tank, and we had to get him out,” he said, explaining the man likely fell 3 to 4 feet.

The second man also was injured, but Hazlett could not explain what caused his injuries.

“We’re not sure,” he said, explaining an investigation continues.

The severity of the men’s injuries also was unknown, though Hazlett said both were taken by ambulance from the scene.

Police could be seen escorting ambulances from the Metzler property about 1:40 p.m.

Multiple people who live and work near the trucking business said they heard a loud bang sometime Wednesday afternoon.

However, Hazlett seemed reluctant to call the accident an explosion.

“We are not sure about any kind of explosion,” he said. “I know there was some gas vapor.”

Later in the day, Duncansville Police Chief  James Ott confirmed there was an explosion at the business, but he declined to provide additional details, as Blair Township police are heading the investigation.

Messages left for Blair Township police Wednesday afternoon were not answered.

Numerous local fire companies had trucks on Metzler grounds, and Hazlett said a state police fire marshal is investigating.

Emergency responders blocked spectators from getting close to the accident area, and, from afar, there were no signs of smoke or flames.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s  Occupational Safety and Health Administration also will be looking into the explosion.

“We are aware of the incident, and we will be investigating,” Assistant Area Director David Rhodes said, not elaborating.

An OSHA spokeswoman said Metzler has no known OSHA history and an investigation could take up to six months.

A receptionist answering phones at Metzler said company officials were unavailable to answer questions.

“I mean this just happened,” she said. “I don’t think anyone wants to comment on it right now.”

Mirror Staff Writer Sean Sauro is at 946-7535.

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