Officials have removed the bodies of all three employees that were reported missing in the ConAgra Foods facility in Garner and have completed the search and rescue operation at the plant. 

“Our mission is complete,” said an official with the Raleigh Fire Deparment.

Officials also said the haz-mat situation --possible ammonia leaks -- is under control and there is no cause for concern.


The Aftermath

The three victims have been identified as Rachel Mae Poston Pulley, 67, of Clayton, Lewis Junior Watson, 33, of Clayton and Barbara McLean Spears, 43, of Dunn.

Forty-one other people were injured in the ConAgra Foods building explosion and collapse in Garner on Tuesday. 

Lewis Junior Watson’s nephew, Brian Boyd, said everyone called his uncle ‘Kojak’. Watson leaves behind a wife and three teenaged children.

Boyd said Watson’s mother was also an employee at the ConAgra plant. The family was frantic to get a hold Watson when news of the explosion spread.

“I called his phone and there was no answer,” Boyd said. “It’s a big tragedy, especially for my aunt. I just don’t know what she’ll do without him.”

Boyd said his uncle was always willing to help others.

“He put me on with his lawn service, to help me put a little money in my pocket,” said Boyd. “He was that kind of guy.”

Anthony McLean of Ocala, Fla., says his sister, Spears, worked at the Slim Jim factory in Garner for about 15 years. He says she worked in the cutting department most recently.

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McLean says he was visiting his family in Dunn on Tuesday so he knew of the explosion at the ConAgra Foods Inc. plant immediately. Spears was the oldest of three siblings and lived in Dunn with her mother. Her brother says she didn't have children, but cared for her brothers and nieces as if they were her own.

Jeff Hammerstein with Wake County EMS said 41 people were taken to area hospitals, and five were tagged as priority patients with serious conditions. It is believed that at least four patients have severe burns. All told, officials said 118 people were screened at the scene after the initial injured were transported.

Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams said injuries ranged from burns to smoke inhalation. Employees and a few firefighters were transferred to area hospitals from WakeMed campuses to Rex Hospital. The most serious injuries were transfered to UNC Hospitals and Duke University Medical Center.

Seven people are now being treated at the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center at Chapel Hill. Four are listed in critical condition and three in fair condition.

Related: Four ConAgra Workers In Critical Condition

ConAgra's CEO Gary Rodkin said right now, his thoughts are with the victims.

"We're starting the process of identifying precisely what happened. When we know that I can assure you that we will share that with you. Our goal is to ensure nothing like this ever happens again,” Rodkin said.

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ConAgra officials said that they are meeting with families and will pay for the funerals of those who were killed. ConAgra will also donate $100,000 to a victims' fund. The fund is managed by United Way. If you would like to donate, visit www.unitedwaytriangle.org/conagra.

ConAgra officials reminded employees that they have a plan for vehicles parked at plant and personal effects. Employees are urged not to call 911. A phone number has been set up for employees with questions. That number is 1-866-484-9599.

If you have been affected, e-mail NBC17 at newstips@wncn.com or call 919-835-NEWS.

What Happened
Initial reports indicated that the collapse was the result of an explosion on the processing side of the plant, which caused ammonia line leak. Several people were trapped for a short amount of time after the explosion. Officials said the ammonia leaks are under control and there is no cause for concern.

The incident is being treated as a criminal investigation.

Sgt. Clayton said there is no theory right now as to how the explosion and collapse occurred, but once the search and recovery effort is complete the Wake Fire Marshal’s Office along with a national unit from the ATF and Labor Department will begin the investigation.

He said Wednesday that a reported bomb threat does not appear to be related to Tuesday's explosion.

"We have no indication that these two events are related,” Clayton said.

Officials said Wednesday work involved would stop at sundown due to safety concerns and the structural integrity fro the building. Security officers are standing by to guard the site.
“The building is not safe and we do not know when it will be safe,” said an official with the ATF. “We’re doing everything we can to find the origin and the cause of that explosion.”

The site employs 900 people producing food products. As many as 300 workers were on the scene when the explosion occurred. A company spokesperson said the company will contact all employees who have vehicles at the site to determine a time for pick up. The Wake County Fire Marshal is investigating the incident along with several state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

The 500,000-square-foot plant last was inspected by the North Carolina Department of Labor for workplace safety last July and no violations were found, said Labor Department spokeswoman Dolores Quesenberry.

This plant in Garner is considered one of ConAgra's largest, Dave Jackson, a spokesman for the Omaha, Neb.-based company, said.

ConAgra Foods Inc. makes brands such as Chef Boyardee, Hunt's tomato sauce, ACT II popcorn and Hebrew National hot dogs. It has 25,000 employees worldwide. The company does not yet know if they will rebuild or what will happen to the Slim Jim line of foods, which were made at the plant.

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Related Links

1. News & Observer Coverage
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3. WTVD Coverage