Boyz training disrupted by explosions at Panama stadium

Sport

Friday, September 06, 2013 | 8:02 AM

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz had their training session at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium interrupted by a barrage of fireworks Thursday night launched from just outside the walls of the 30,000 capacity venue.The players were in the height of preparation for Friday’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifying game against the hosts when loud explosions were heard, shattering the early night’s silence.Each time a volley of the loud explosions were heard, the players stopped and took notice as initially they were unsure of what it was and intended for.Still, the Boyz bravely but cautiously continued their drills, until finally it became unbearable and the session was called off.Officials of the JFF protested to the Match Commissioner on the ground as they suspected that it was an orchestrated action to intimidate the players and disrupt their training rhythm.JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell, who was watching the session, was visibly upset, and so too head coach Winfried Schafer as well as the players.Burrell and other officials of the JFF engaged the Match Commissioner and a Panama Football Federation representative on the offensive explosions, plus other matters.Football-mad Central American nations have a reputation of using intimidating tactics to unsettle opponents ahead of and during matches.– Sean Williams

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Boyz training disrupted by explosions at Panama stadium

Explosions rock Florida gas plant

30 July 2013 Last updated at 02:40 ET Aerial footage shows a tower of flames rising into the sky, as the BBC’s Peter Bowes reports

At least seven people were injured by a series of explosions at a gas plant in the US state of Florida, officials say.

They were working at the Blue Rhino propane plant, in the town of Tavares, when the blasts began at about 23:00 (03:00 GMT), blowing the roof off.

The explosions continued for about an hour and caused a large fire. The cause of the initial blast is not yet known.

Fifteen workers were found safe after initially being unaccounted for, while two others managed to escape unhurt.

John Harrell, Lake County Sheriff’s Office: “More and more explosions”

A spokesman for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, John Harrell, said the missing workers had merely “scattered” when the explosions began and had since been contacted by their managers and emergency crews.

People living within 0.5 miles (0.8km) of the plant have been evacuated, although Mr Harrell said emergency crews believed the fire had been contained and that there was no immediate danger to them.

Officials are investigating the blasts. There were an estimated 53,000 tanks at the plant at the time.

Former plant supervisor Don Ingram told WESH-TV that Blue Rhino took in propane tanks used for home barbecues, cleaned them, checked their valves and then refilled them.

About 4,000 to 5,000 tanks were refilled each night and were stacked on plastic pallets four or five high behind the filling station, Mr Ingram added.

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Explosions rock Florida gas plant