NY cosmetics plant explosion, fire yields dead worker

Firefighters work at the scene of a factory fire in New Windsor, N.Y., Monday, November 20, 2017. Authorities say two explosions and a fire at the Verla International cosmetics factory in the Hudson Valley about an hour north of New York City have left multiple people injured, including firefighters caught in the second blast. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

 NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. — Authorities recovered the body of a male worker earlier reported missing after two explosions and a fire at a New York cosmetics factory left dozens of people injured, including seven firefighters caught in the second blast, officials said on Monday.

“A deceased male employee was recovered from the plant fire at approximately 7:40 p.m.,” Orange County spokesman Justin Rodriguez said in a statement issued on Monday night. He gave no additional details.

Police said the first explosion occurred around 10:15 a.m. Monday at the Verla International cosmetics factory in New Windsor, about an hour’s drive from New York City. Firefighters who responded were inside when the second explosion occurred around 10:40 a.m.

According to Town Supervisor George Green, up to 35 people were being treated for injuries, including seven firefighters, most of them from the nearby city of Newburgh.

He also said that two of the firefighters were taken to the burn unit at Westchester Medical Center. None of the injuries appear to be life threatening.

There was no word on the cause of the blaze, which fire crews and hazardous materials teams were battling into Monday night.

Verla was cited for nine occupational safety violations earlier this year, according to records on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s website. One was related to problems with the handling of flammable and combustible liquids.

The federal agency also cited inadequacies relating to respirator protection for workers and the maintenance of exit routes. The company agreed to pay $41,000 in penalties.

The state is poised to investigate working conditions and regulatory compliance at the plant consequent this incident.

“Following today’s chemical explosion, I am directing a multi-agency investigation to get to the bottom of what happened and review compliance with state labor and environmental laws,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

The factory is about a half-mile from the town hall and police station in New Windsor, on the Hudson River’s west bank, 88 kilometers (55 miles) north of New York City. The 37-year-old New Windsor-based company’s website states that among the products it makes are nail polish, perfumes, and lotions.

The company’s phone number was not working. An email sent to the company was not answered.             /kga