Editorials

UNION CITY — An explosion at a pipe factory late Wednesday afternoon injured at least 12 people, rescue officials said. 

The explosion at the U.S. Pipe and Foundry Co. factory occurred about 4:45 p.m, said Roberto Munoz of the Union City Police Department, and led authorities to block off Whipple Road, a major street leading to Interstate 880. It was closed for more than an hour. 

No chemicals were involved in the explosion, and there was no fire, Munoz said.  

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion, but it happened during the pipe-making process as workers were pouring a substance into a mold, Munoz said.  

The 24-hour plant was not evacuated and operations were not shut down, said Union City Police Capt. Connie Van Putten. 

Three injured people who suffered cuts and burns were transported to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. They were listed in fair condition Wednesday evening, said hospital spokeswoman Cassandra Phelps. Another person, suffering less serious injuries, also went to Eden, said Brad Shehan, a spokesman for American Medical Response. 

Four others were sent to St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, while the remaining four went to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward. All eight suffered minor injuries, Shehan said. 

The factory is located in an industrial area of Union City, about 12 miles southeast of Oakland. A counseling center was set up for family members across the street at Alpine Awards, which makes school, corporate and sports league trophies and other awards. 

About 40-50 people gathered there following the accident, said Yolanda Murray, an employee of Alpine Awards who heard the explosion. 

“There were just two tremendously loud explosions,” Murray said.  

“It kind of felt like an earthquake at first, but I knew it wasn’t because it happened too fast. It shook the windows. I wish it would have been an earthquake.”