Army ammunition plant to restart operations after fire

By

The Associated Press

A new, modernized NAC/SAC facility was constructed at Radford Army Ammunition Plant in 2010. The inspector general for the Defense Department is investigating open burning of ammunition and explosives at military sites. (Army)

RADFORD, Va. — Officials say some production is restarting at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Virginia after a fire injured three workers this week.

The U.S. Army owns the plant and defense contractor BAE Systems operates it. They said Thursday that officials have determined the facility is ready for a staggered restart, with full production resuming by Monday.

Their news release says an investigation is under way to determine the cause of Monday evening’s flash fire.

Three workers were taken to a local hospital, then transferred to a North Carolina hospital. One has been discharged and a hospital spokeswoman said Thursday that two remained in critical condition.

The facility on thousands of acres is one of southwest Virginia’s largest employers.