Investigation continues into explosion that injured 6 workers in Manayunk

Federal regulators are investigating an explosion at a construction site that left six workers injured Wednesday in Manayunk.

Preliminary information indicates that, at around 3:15 p.m, a generator blew up inside or near a trailer for workers hired for a Philadelphia Water Department project at the Flat Rock Dam, along the Schuylkill River, fire department officials said.

Six men, ranging in age from 22 to 48, suffered burns and were taken to Temple University Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition, police said Wednesday. No updated were provided Thursday by authorities or company representatives.

A U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson told Metro on Thursday that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation into the incident. OSHA’s probe could take up to six months. The fire marshal’s office is also looking into the cause of the explosion.

PWD’s Flat Rock Dam Betterment Project, which began last year, aims to reconnect the Manayunk Canal to the river for the first time in decades, in the hopes of improving water quality. In conjunction with the current phase of work, the city last month closed a portion of the Schuylkill River Trail in the area.

A.P. Construction is the general contractor for the project, and the injured workers are employed by Performance Construction Company, a subsidiary of Quandel.

“We are working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of the incident and are participating fully with their investigation,” Quandel Enterprises CEO Greg Quandel said in a statement. “We will provide updates as appropriate on our six injured teammates but ask for privacy for those injured and their families.”