A flash fire at an oil and gas recycling facility in southern Weld County that put a man in the hospital is being investigated “by several entities,” a company official said Wednesday.
Ben Helzer was flown to the Western States Burn Center at North Colorado Medical Center after he was injured Sunday. Helzer was employed as a solids control technician for Mills Solids Control while working at the recycling facility between Fort Lupton and Platteville.
Helzer was working as a contractor for Greeley-based Products. Mills Solids is a subcontractor that provides personnel for Clear Water.
Scott Forkner, a co-owner of Clear Water Products, said his company was not commenting on the accident until investigations into the fire are concluded.
“It’s several investigations that are ongoing,” Forkner said in a phone interview, “by several entities.”
Helzer was burned about 12:30 p.m. Sunday by a flash fire while using a brush burner to thaw a pump used to transfer fluids from one tank to another, .
Flammable materials at the facility caught fire, prompting his flame-resistant clothing to catch fire and burn. His clothing burned for about 30 seconds before a coworker reached him and put out the flames.
Initial reports indicated he sustained first, second-and third degree burns on 40 percent of his body, the Tribune said.
Helzer remains at North Colorado Medical Center. The co-owner of Mills Solids Control told the Tribune that Helzer is doing better than originally thought.
The land the facility rests on is owned by Anadarko Petroleum, but the company has no operations at the site, according to the Greeley Tribune said.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907, mwhaley@denverpost.com or @montewhaley
