Explosion puts six in hospital
Posted/updated on: April 23, 2026 at 2:35 am
TATUM — Six people have been hospitalized following an electrical explosion at a power plant in Tatum on Monday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said, the explosion identified as an arc flash, occurred around 2:30 p.m. at the Martin Lake Power Plant. An arc flash is an electrical explosion caused when electricity jumps through the air, releasing extreme heat and pressure.
Following the incident, two people were airlifted to the hospital for severe injuries, while another four people were taken by vehicle to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The plant has returned to normal operations and the cause of the explosion is expected to be investigated by OSHA
