Factory Explosion Injures Worker in Battle Creek

A Monday afternoon explosion and fire at Franklin Plastics sent one worker to the hospital and brought several emergency crews to Hill Brady Road.

The incident happened shortly after 3:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the commercial building at 1525 Hill Brady Road, according to the City of Battle Creek Fire Department.

Facility personnel helped the injured worker reach ambulance crews. The city said the worker had significant burns to the arms, chest and face and was taken to Bronson Kalamazoo; the worker’s condition was unknown when the city issued its Sept. 29 update.

Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from an open bay door. Employees had already put out the main fire with extinguishers before crews entered to check whether flames had spread into the roof.

Battle Creek Fire Department units, LifeCare Ambulance and Department of Veterans Affairs Rescue 20 responded. Bedford Township Fire Department brought a tower truck to help crews reach the roof, while other units supported ventilation and the response.

The City’s full release lists the probable cause as accidental and says damage was limited to machinery and the area immediately around it. It did not report broader damage to the building.

Franklin Plastics is on Hill Brady Road, west of Battle Creek’s main commercial corridors. Neighbors can find the location on Google Maps.

We’ll update this story if officials release new information about the worker’s condition or the fire investigation.