Black smoked filled the city’s skies late last Wednesday — a sign to Fulton commuters something was wrong. Word traveled fast.

Inside Mueller Copper Tube, employees were in the midst of tragedy. As news spread across the scanners around 4 p.m. that there had been an explosion at the plant, fear accompanied the clouded sky.

Family and friends of employees immediately headed to the plant but were forced off the property by security, who were allowing only emergency personnel to enter. All were left to wonder what was happening inside.

“The heroics of our maintenance men and some of our salary employees were indescribable,” said Tammy Webb, director of safety for Mueller Industries. “These employees did not think about themselves. They demonstrated acts of courage and determination. It is because of their efforts that Mueller Copper Tube is up and running today.”

One employee, Phillip Cason Hosch of Sulligent, Ala., was killed and three others were injured. And while investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the explosion, many are acutely aware of how much worse things could have been.

“The outcome could have been more severe had these employees not stayed focused on extinguishing the fire,” Webb said. “They maintained a level-headed composure by knowing where fire hoses and fire extinguishers were located at a time when chaos would have been easy. Instead of running away from the scene, they were running toward the danger.”

Maintenance men and salary personnel rushed to the roof to extinguish a fire. Another maintenance man stopped to console his fellow employees.

“For his ability to do that, I am thankful, and I'm sure his fellow employees are thankful as well,” she added.



Safety measures

During an interview earlier last month, Webb commented on safety at the plant, noting a class was near completion that would result in 14 certified EMRs on-site. Additionally, only days before the explosion, many employees received helicopter training.

“When it was determined that CareFlight would be responding, employees were ready to secure a landing zone and stand guard of the helicopter once it landed. Securing a landing zone, helping to load the patient, and standing guard of the helicopter was all part of the training they received last Monday night,” Webb said.

Mueller’s new EMRs were prepared and ready to step in when needed.

And by using the 911 radios they recently received, the EMRs were able to stay in constant contact with the fire department, EMTs and CareFlight.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Brad Beard with the Fulton Fire Department, emergency personnel were at the scene in four to five minutes. Seventeen from Tremont, Tilden and Ryan’s Well volunteer fire departments all responded to the call.

“Everybody worked together well. It’s tough, in a way. We’re just like everybody else. In situations like that, we have to block it out and deal with the situation at hand,” he said.



Community outreach

“The support we have received from the community has been tremendous,” Webb said. “A number of employees from surrounding businesses offered their help in getting the plant back up and running. Some businesses sent food for employees who worked throughout the remainder of the week and weekend.”

Along with businesses, local officials have offered their support to the industry that’s kept Itawamba County afloat for so many years.

“Mueller stands as the flagship of our industrial base in Itawamba County,” said Fulton Mayor Paul Walker. “They’ve always been very involved in our community. The tragedies they’ve suffered in the last 18 months have been just terrible. They’ve always been a very safety- minded company.”

“Mueller has had a significant impact on this county since it opened more than 40 years ago. It’s provided a lot of families with a lot of jobs,” said Danny Holley, Itawamba County Board of Supervisors president. “We wish them the best of luck and hope they continue to grow.”

Holley added Mueller Industries provides more tax dollars than any in the county. “It’s loss,” he said, “would be disastrous.”

Monday was the first day the plant reopened to resume production.

While company officials are still answering questions to OSHA investigators, grief counseling is being offered to employees. It’s not business as usual but it’s a start.

“My hope is that any employee who needs help today or in the near future will ask for it. We will get them the help they need,” Webb said.



Times staff writer Adam Armour contributed to this story.