LEESBURG, FL. (THECOUNT) — Firefighters are battling an explosion and resulting blaze at Leesburg, Florida DAB Constructors, an asphalt processing plant early Thursday.
The explosion at the road-building company, located on Commerce Drive, in Leesburg, occurred after 6 a.m.
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Leesburg Deputy Fire Chief Joe Mera said a plant operator showed up for work this morning and was getting the equipment started when the mishap occurred. According to Leesburg police, a valve on one of the company’s hoppers failed, causing a buildup of pressure in the hopper and then the eruption, reports DailyCommercial.
The DAB employee was treated for minor injuries. Mera said pipes were damaged and firefighters from Leesburg, Fruitland Park and Lake County Fire Rescue are trying to stem the a liquid asphalt leak.
Police say there were no reported injuries, but power is out in the immediate vicinity of the plant.
DAB Construction is a large road builder serving 15 counties in Central Florida. According to company information, it is a $60 million-a-year operation with 250 employees. Thirty percent of its profits come from the production of asphalt at two plants, one in Leesburg and one in Brooksville
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Geo quick facts: Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 19,086. Leesburg is in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system – Wikipedia.