By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com
The Oxford Fire Department and Lafayette County fire and sheriff’s departments responded to the Winchester Plant in the Max D. Hipp Lafayette County Industrial Park Tuesday afternoon where several people were injured after a minor explosion.
According to OFD Chief Joey Garner, at about 1:30 p.m. a small explosion occurred in a bin where bullets are placed after being manufactured, likely caused by gunpowder igniting.
Garner said he was told about four people were transported to Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi with minor injuries for observation.
Ted Zimmermann, vice president of Human Resources for Olin Corporation – Winchester Division, said seven people were treated for minor injuries.
“Operations in Winchester’s Rimfire and military packing building are temporarily interrupted but manufacturing at Winchester’s Centerfire building is still in operation,” Zimmermann said late Tuesday afternoon. “We appreciate the efforts of the first responders and our own staff who handled the situation.”
Winchester is reviewing the situation to determine the cause of the incident.
