Claymont steelworker sent to hospital after fire breaks out

mark harris

A blaze from a one-alarm fire at a Claymont steel company sent an employee to the hospital Monday night after he suffered smoke inhalation. The man, a worker at Evraz Claymont Steel Company, formerly known asCitiSteel, was taken to Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pa.

Claymont Fire Company Chief Mark Harris said the fire started in a furnace refractory at 6:11 p.m. Molten steel from a container dripped onto an electrical panel and caused the blaze, Harris said. The employee was working on a crane above the container and was not able to escape without help. Firefighters had to use ropes to free him because there was no visibility inside the room, Harris said.

More than 20 employees were evacuated. Fire companies from Talleyville, Brandywine Hundred, Holloway Terrace, Five Points and Wilmington helped extinguish the blaze. The fire was under control at 7:26 p.m.

Harris said employees were not allowed back into the unit that caught fire because of smoldering metal inside.

Harris also said the unit had smoke damage but it was not extensive. The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating.