Townsend talks plant safety

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2001 | 9:48 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

RENO -- Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, has called on the state attorney general's office and the Douglas County district attorney's office to launch an investigation into whether criminal charges should be filed in regard to the plant explosion in Minden last month that killed one man and injured four others.

Townsend told a news conference Monday there should also be an inquiry by a legislative committee to see whether the plant was operated safely.

The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protections and the East Fork Fire District in Minden are all conducting independent investigations of Depressurized Technologies International, a recycling plant that exploded Sept. 17.

Noel Manoukian, attorney for Depressurized Technologies, said, "This was a safe operation. I think the investigation will show it." There were instructions given to the workers to make sure they followed the rules, he said.

Jamie Gonzales, 34, died from burns suffered in the blast. Also injured were his brother, Raul Gonzales, Elias San Juan and Cecilio San Juan, all in their 20s. The victims all said they were sending part of their wages back to their families in Mexico.