GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A small explosion on the site for a new Meijer gas station in Grand Rapids injured a construction worker Wednesday afternoon.
The incident happened near the Meijer store on East Beltline Avenue and Knapp Street around 1 p.m. The new gas station is being built behind the old one, which has remained open during construction.
Grand Rapids firefighters say the construction crew was working on a PVC pipe when it happened. Investigators say an adhesive caused flammable fumes to build up in the pipe, which ignited when a worker began soldering near the pipe.
A cap was blown off the end of the piping and a worker was hit. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment, firefighters said.
Work at the site continued Wednesday afternoon and operations at the gas station did not appear to be impacted.