Alex Beall
WMAL.com
STERLING (WMAL) — A Virginia agency is investigating last Thursday’s rock blast in Sterling, which originated in a quarry. The fly rock from the blast injured one person and damaged a house, several cars and some businesses in a nearby strip mall.
The Virgina Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) is investigating the cause of the blast, though it should take several weeks before the report is finalized.
DMME has issued a notice of violation against the blaster-in-charge and is reviewing the individual’s training records, according to Tarah Kesterson, DMME spokesperson.
On Thursday, the agency issued a closure order for blasting at the quarry, which will remain in effect until the investigation is completed and the company submits a new blasting plan to the DMME for approval.
DMME has received three more citizens complaints since Thursday, but have not checked them out yet.
Fly rock incidents from quarry blasting are rare, according to Kesterson, and so was probably caused by an unforeseen problem.
“There’s a problem that either wasn’t foreseen geologically before this happened,” Kesterson said. “Something that they didn’t know was there probably occurred when this happened, but we are still investigating the exact cause.”
Bob Ryan, an eyewitness of the incident, described large rocks falling from the sky, shattering windows and pelting cars.
“I just saw rocks flying everywhere and there was huge pieces flying everywhere,” Ryan said.
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