ORLANDO, Fla. — A 29-year-old UCF contractor transferring chemicals from a metal drum sustained "considerable burns" after a static discharge sparked a fire Monday, firefighters said.
- Firefighters: Worker transferring chemicals when static sparked fire
- Contractor sustained "considerable burns" on face, arms, upper body
- He was transported to ORMC — no one else was hurt, Fire Rescue said
The man had burns to his upper body, face, and arms, Orange County Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles said during a news conference Monday. He was wearing goggles at the time, he said.
The worker's name was not released. Jachles said he was conscious and alert when he was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.
No one else was hurt.
Jachles said the man was working at a UCF maintenance building at about 3 p.m., transferring the chemicals to dispose of them, when a "static discharge" caused a reaction in the chemicals, which included powdered aluminum, chromium, and magnesium.
"We put out the fire using chemicals, not water," Jachles said. "The drum in question was removed. It's on the far side and is secured."
The facility where the fire happened is used specifically for disposing of chemicals from around the UCF campus, and only employees are allowed in the area.
The 55-gallon drum reached 200 degrees Fahrenheit at one point, Jachles said. It had cooled to 140 degrees a couple of hours later.