Man dies in explosion in Ottawa County
BY SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
Monday, December 10, 2012
MIAMI, Okla. – A Quapaw man died Sunday after cutting into an empty 55-gallon barrel which ignited an explosion, said Ottawa County sheriff's detective Derek Derwin.
Troy Howard Thompson, 43, died at his residence around 10 a.m. from massive injuries to his head, he said.
Derwin said Thompson was using a plasma cutter to cut the barrel when the explosion occurred. A plasma cutter is similar to a cutting torch, Derwin said.
“The barrel was empty, but the lid was crimped down,” Derwin said. “There was an oily substance on the rim of the lid and it ignited while he was using the plasma cutter.”
Earlier in the morning, Thompson had successfully cut two other barrels, he said.
Thompson's neighbors heard the blast and immediately called for emergency services, Derwin said.
