WAGRAM — An explosion Thursday afternoon at a Wagram paper recycling facility sent two people to the hospital.
The accident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. at the Wagram Paper Stock facility on Second Street.
Officials say a fire was caused by a propane explosion, but it is unclear what caused the blast at the facility that collects and processes recyclable paper.
“We not really sure what happened,” said David Laviner, a captain with the North Scotland Fire Department. “When we arrived on the scene, we found a fire involving propane cylinders and we extinguished the fire.”
Emergency personnel treated two men that had been burned during the explosion. Laviner did not know the extent of the men’s injuries.
It is unclear if the men worked for Wagram Paper Stock or were making a delivery to the facility. Company officials could not be reached at presstime.
The injured pair was transported to Scotland Memorial Hospital.
A truck and a small area nearby were damaged in the blaze, according to Laviner.
It took firefighters about 30 minutes to put out the fire.
Also responding to the incident were Laurinburg Fire Department, Scotland County Rescue and Scotland County EMS. Scotland County sheriff’s deputies rerouted traffic for about 45 minutes on the roads leading to the facility.
“We appreciate all the help,” Laviner said.
Wagram Paper Stock, established in 1979, collects and bales corrugated containers and other fiber material from industrial and commercial customers in the region.
It is a contract supplier of recovered fiber to Sonoco Products, an international paper and packaging company headquartered in Hartsville, S.C.
The facility employs 17 people and collects 14,400 tons per year of recyclable materials, according to its website.
