Varnum Enterprises LLC
Flash fire — Thermal burns degree unspecified — BETHEL, Connecticut
| Employer | Varnum Enterprises LLC |
| Address | 11 TROWBRIDGE DR |
| City, State ZIP | BETHEL, Connecticut 06801 |
| Report ID | 2025054588 |
| Event Date | May 15, 2025 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized |
| Nature of Injury | Thermal burns degree unspecified |
| Body Part | Ears and facial region unspecified |
| Event Type | Flash fire |
| Source of Injury | Other hydrocarbon gas |
| Secondary Source | Grinders handtool |
| Industry (NAICS) | 337110 |
| GPS Coordinates | 41.35063, -73.42127 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
During the fabrication of a metal railing, an employee was heating a metal bar with an acetylene torch to prepare the bar for bending. After heating the bar, the acetylene torch was extinguished and placed in the open end of a 4 rectangular tube. Acetylene from the torch leaked into the tube. Several minutes later, the employee used a hand grinder that produced sparks which ignited the acetylene. The employee sustained facial burns.
Incident Summary
On May 15, 2025, a worker at Varnum Enterprises LLC in BETHEL, Connecticut suffered thermal burns degree unspecified to the ears and facial region unspecified. The incident was classified as flash fire, with other hydrocarbon gas identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.
Context
OSHA has recorded 68 severe injury reports involving "Flash fire" incidents in our database. Browse all Flash fire injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Flash fire events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2024 | Cobey Inc. | BUFFALO, New York | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jan 25, 2025 | Mike's Inc. - Shipyard Facility | EAST ALTON, Illinois | Thermal burns second degree | Hosp. |
| Jul 31, 2025 | MPW Industrial Services, Inc. | CLAIRTON, Pennsylvania | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Siemens Energy, Inc. | PAINTED POST, New York | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jul 10, 2024 | CJB Construction, Inc. | RICHARDSON, Texas | Thermal burns second degree | Hosp. |
| Jul 30, 2024 | Tractor Supply Co. | NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
| May 15, 2025 | Lime Rock Resources V-A, LP | WATFORD CITY, North Dakota | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
| Feb 17, 2025 | ARG Trucking Corp | LEWIS RUN, Pennsylvania | Thermal burns degree unspecified | Hosp. |
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About This OSHA Report
This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.