49-year-old Johnny Barrett suffered third-degree burns on more than 51 percent of his body Tuesday afternoon in a flash fire while on the job at Pyrotechnic Specialties Inc. on Juniper Creek Road in Byron.
According to Peach County Fire Chief Thomas Doles, employees were packaging things for disposal when something went awry, causing the flash fire. But this is not the first time something has gone wrong at the plant.
In 2006, an explosion at the plant damaged several nearby homes. The company paid $14,000 in fines after an inspection two months later revealed that federal inspectors found seven serious violations, including improperly storing chemicals and employees. Then in 2008, the FBI raided Pyrotechnic and accused the company of selling faulty grenades that injured FBI agents. The case was thrown out by a federal judge a year later. In 2009, the federal EPA inspectors found hundreds of containers of explosives and other hazardous materials improperly stored.
Several neighbors that live here nearby the plant and they say things have been pretty quiet over the last few years.
Barrett's sister Jacqueline Jones says he's at the burn center in Augusta and has to be monitored 24-7.
Jones says Barrett is bandaged all over and can't speak to them.
"When you ask him a question, he can respond by blinking his eyes or moving his eyes," Jones said.
Jones says the family hasn't heard from anyone at Pyrotechnic.
"It's to the point where no one has called to apologize," Jones said. "We haven't heard anything else today from anybody at all."
But Jones says she only has one request.
"Just keep us in their prayers."
The Augusta Burn Center lists Barrett in critical condition.