Ten more workers were also hospitalized and one person remained unaccounted for, although authorities said the missing person might be the dead worker. Authorities searched the building twice yesterday, including once with state police dogs, looking for any more victims and planned another search early today.
Company Chair William Clay Ford Jr. heard about the explosion at the historic Ford River Rouge Complex, which makes the Mustang, while at a meeting nearby and rushed to the plant.
''It's awful. Everyone who works at Ford is an extended member of the family,'' Henry Ford's great-grandson told reporters outside the plant. ''This is the worst day of my life.''
The explosion occurred about 1 p.m. in the Number Three boiler, Ford spokesperson Francine MacBride said. The cause was under investigation.
Heavy gray smoke billowed from the windows for hours. Fire officials said by 8:30 p.m. the fire was under control. Some of the roof of the 78-year-old red brick building was gone, and only metal girders remained.
Windows were broken and blackened, and the ground around
02-02-99
| Previous Article | Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |