UPDATED Monday, October 19, 2009 -- 5:15 p.m.

Investigators know what caused a deadly explosion at a Columbus plant, killing one worker.

The Columbus fire department got the call to respond to the American Packaging Plant on James Street around six o'clock Sunday night.

The explosion killed a long-time employee, 47 year old Jeffrey Doxtater.
The Coroner says Doxtater died from blunt force trauma.

The back part of the plant, Dock 11, is where the explosion happened Sunday night. The call to 911 came shortly after six o'clock.

The Columbus Fire Chief says a long-time employee of the American Packaging Corporation - a 47-year-old man from Columbus - died in the blast.

He has been identified as Jeffrey Doxtater.

Another worker described him as a great guy.

Doxtater was a maintenance worker, one of 5 people at the facility at the time.

The Chief says he was using a grinding device to trim some floor bolts when sparks flew, igniting vapors from a nearby washer unit.

"Apparently the last time been used... Friday night into Saturday morning... but apparently there were some vapors... that must've been inside yet... when the spark ignited it ... blew door open on washer and knocking him across the room, igniting a fire inside of the washer," Chief Randy Koehn says.

The chief says there was little actual fire damage but the blast was felt far outside of the plant itself and caused more than a million dollars in damage.

"There's a concrete block wall that was separated, cracked from ceiling ... a good way to floor, it had to be pretty violent."

The plant is temporarily closed with counseling being offered for employees. A company spokesperon says this facility employs about 250 people.

OSHA was on scene investigating the incident. The spokesperson says all of the company's 3 plants nationwide have been recognized for their safety practices.

A number of departments assisted, including a hazmat team out of Portage, which determined early there was no danger to the public.

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UPDATED Monday, October 19, 2009 --- 3:45 p.m.

Press Release from Medical Examiner:

On the evening of October 18, 2009, Columbus and Fall River Fire Departments, as well as Beaver Dam and Portage Fire and Hazmat units, responded to an explosion at the American Packaging Plant in the city of Columbus.

A 47-year-old male, identified as Jeffrey A. Doxtater, a resident of the City of Columbus and employee of the plant, died as a result of the injuries he sustained due to the explosion.

According to findings during the autopsy, completed on Monday October, 19th at the Columbia County Medical Examiner’s office, multiple internal injuries due to blunt force trauma were the cause of death.

The incident remains under investigation by the Columbus police Department, Columbus Fire Department, and OSHA.

Angela M. Hinze RN, FNE F-ABMDI
Medical Examiner
Columbia County

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UPDATED Monday, October 19, 2009 --- 10:00 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Wis. (AP) -- A maintenance worker has died in an explosion and fire at a manufacturing plant in Columbus.

Fire officials say the person was killed while using a hand-held grinder on some floor bolts at American Packaging Corp. Sunday about 6 p.m.

Fire Chief Randy Koehn says sparks ignited some vapors, causing the explosion. Koehn says the explosion ripped apart a sprinkler system, which allowed water to spill from the pipes and limit the fire damage.

Koehn says another employee was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and released.

A message left with the company Monday morning was not immediately returned.

Federal safety records do not list any previous violations at that plant.

Columbus is in south-central Wisconsin, about 30 miles northeast of Madison.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Monday, October 19, 2009 --- 8:50 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Wis. (AP) -- One person has died in an explosion and fire at a manufacturing plant in Columbus.

Fire officials say the maintenance employee was killed while using a hand-held grinder on some floor bolts at American Packaging Corp. Sunday about 6 p.m.

Fire Chief Randy Koehn says sparks ignited some vapors, causing the explosion and fire. Koehn says the explosion ripped apart the sprinkler system in the room. He says that caused water to spill from the pipes, containing fire damage to the room.

Koehn says another employee was taken to Columbus Hospital with minor injuries, treated and released.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Sunday, October 18, 2009 --- 8:38 p.m.

Note from NBC 15: Authorities are not releasing the name of the victim pending notification of the family.

The Columbus Fire Department reports that 3rd shift work at the American Packaging Corporation has been cancelled after the fatal fire.

Right now there is no word about Monday's 1st shift. The Fire Department expects that shift supervisors from the company will get in touch with workers with any updates.

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UPDATED Sunday, October 18, 2009 --- 8:23 p.m.

Columbus Emergency Management officials tell us that a man has died after a fire at the American Packaging Corporation.

The 47-year-old Columbus man was a worker at the facility.

The Columbus Fire Department says they received a call at 6:07 p.m. about a possible explosion at the facility on W. James St. A firefighter arrived to see smoke coming from the back dock.

The fire was in a cleaning unit. Columbus, Fall River and Beaver Dam fire units responded to the scene. Columbus Emergency Management also responded to the scene.

Portage Fire Hazmat responded as a precaution due to the chemicals in the building. We are told there is no danger of chemicals being in the air and no danger to the public.

All roads in the area are now open.

The fire is still under investigation.

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UPDATED Sunday, October 18, 2009 --- 7:58 p.m.

NBC15 Photojournalist Katie Rousonelos is on-scene of the fire at the the American Packaging Corporation in Columbus.

She reports multiple fire units are responding, including Hazmat units.

A portion of W. James St. was blocked for some time but it appears to be open now.

We are expecting an update from emergency personnel at 8:00 p.m. We will bring you the latest details as soon as they are available.

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UPDATED Sunday, October 18, 2009 --- 7:29 p.m.
Posted Sunday, October 18, 2009 --- 6:59 p.m.

The Columbus Fire Department tells NBC15 News they are battling a fire at the American Packaging Corporation on W. James St.

The fire may be the result of a possible explosion.

Right now, the department tells us there is no threat to the public.

The Portage Fire Department confirms they are sending a Hazmat unit to assist.

Emergency personnel are expected to brief our crew at 8 p.m. We will bring you the latest details as they become available.