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news/2009/11/ap_pickett_explosion_111909
Explosion at Pickett sends 14 to hospitals
Posted : Thursday Nov 19, 2009 8:12:10 EST
BLACKSTONE, Va. — A pyrotechnic device used in training exercises exploded at Fort Pickett, sending 14 Virginia National Guard soldiers to hospitals, most as a precautionary measure.
Maj. Cotton Puryear says a small "flash-bang" device used to simulate the sounds of explosions exploded Wednesday night in a training building while soldiers were going through materials to be used for training. He didn't identify the type of device and it was not clear whether it malfunctioned.
A soldier closest to the blast suffered third-degree burns and cuts and was taken to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center in Richmond. Puryear said her injuries weren't believed to be life-threatening. The other 13 soldiers were taken to hospitals as a precaution, mainly for ringing in their ears.
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