Implosion brings end to plant where worker died.
Three smokestacks that have been a St. Petersburg landmark for more than 50 years were imploded this morning.
The P.L. Bartow Steam Power Plant smokestacks, each standing 300 feet tall, were demolished at 10 am local time. The implosion lasted about 10 seconds and brought the stacks down to the side.
Demolition work had been underway at the Weedon Island plant back in June when a structure collapsed, killing 65-year-old welder Clark White.
“Demolition work is inherently very dangerous and explosive demolition is dangerous as well,” Progress Energy spokesperson Suzanne Grant told 10 News. “Back in June, the demolition was a different type. This is using explosives. That was a controlled collapse where they were weakening structures and pulling it down. It’s really a different thing, but the safety is paramount as always.”
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