Memorial held for plant blast victims

Middletown, Conn. (WTNH) - The six workers killed in an explosion at the Kleen Energy Systems plant in Connecticut were remembered by about 500 mourners at a memorial service not far from the damaged facility, Saturday.

Massive devastation brought a Middletown community together for the first time at a special memorial at St. Mary's Church.

Bag pipe music filled the air saluting the six pipe fitters killed in an explosion while clearing lines at the Kleen Energy Systems Plant February 7th.

"When something like this happens it just sends a jolt through you no matter what the circumstances," said Mayor Sebastian Giuliano of [D] of Middletown. "It's then you begin to realize that life is pretty precious; it's pretty fragile and an incident can take it away in a moment."

Political dignitaries, family and friends filled the Catholic church; everyone too overcome with emotion to speak to News Channel 8.

"It's their family. And they've lost family members as far as they're concerned and this is like going to their funeral. It's the same," said Mayor Giuliano.

And while today is a time to remember, authorities do say it's also a time to look at preventing tragedies like this one from happening ever again.

"We're going to possibly have some hearings to look at all this. This has happened in North Carolina; happened in Wyoming; happened in other states as well and the purging of these lines are a very important question. How it's done is very, very important; a national question," said U.S. Senator Chris Dodd [D] of Connecticut.

A federal safety investigator said a volatile natural gas and air mixture large enough to fill a professional basketball arena had accumulated in tight quarters before the explosion.

City police and fire officials say they have completed their search for evidence into the investigation. But OSHA and the U.S. Chemical Safety Board will remain on site to continue theirs.

Mayor Giuliano said the Coalition of City Unions is holding a fundraising dinner April 17th for the families of the six men killed. He said it will be another opportunity for members of the community to come together and reflect.