University of Utah Water Line Explosion Injures 7

by Amy Judd | November 1, 2010 at 04:00 pm

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A Hot Water Line Explosion at the University of Utah Campus Injured Seven People on Monday

The explosion occurred shortly before 11am according to the Salt Lake Tribune, and two people suffered critical injuries.

Construction workers were working on the line inside a vault that runs under a parking lot, when the line exploded, causing steam and boiling water to be released into the vault. The steam inflicted the most damage and sent two to hospital with critical injuries, suffering from burns and inhalation damage; five more workers were taken to hospital with less serious injuries.

No buildings were evacuated, but that water line has been isolated while officials try to figure out what caused the break and explosion.

Paul and Susan Pace of Magna said their son, 25-year-old Ryan Dowland, was a foreman at the site. He suffered 2nd-degree burns on his face, arms and legs as he tried to help the workers out of the tunnel, but was not among the worst injured, the Paces said.

All the employees from the company he works for, Thermal West, are expected to recover, they said.

“We’re very blessed,” Susan Pace said.