Update: Man dies from fuel explosion

Updated Wednesday 10:06 a.m.Erie County Chief Deputy Jared Oliver confirmed that Thomas Layton, 70, died about 11 p.m. Tuesday evening as a result of the injuries he sustained in an explosion Tuesday morning at Coles Energy."It was a tragic accident. We extend our condolences to the family," Oliver said.Original story:MILAN TWP. — One man was injured during an explosion Tuesday morning at Coles Energy on Ohio 113 near Milan. Coles Energy employee Thomas Layton, 70, sustained trauma to his upper torso, head and arms, according to the incident report. "The man who was injured is undergoing treatment at this point," Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth told the Register. "The situation has stabilized. There is no danger of any additional explosions."Sigsworth said the explosion occurred during a fuel transfer just before 7 a.m. "It appears the gentlemen was dispensing fuel from one delivery truck to a second truck," Milan fire Chief Brian Rospert told the Register. "When he had the line out, it appears there was a static charge that discharged and caused a gas explosion because of the fuel vapors in the air. We're not exactly sure what caused the static charge."Two employees on scene told authorities they heard a loud explosion and found Layton on the ground. Layton was taken to Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk for treatment and later flown by a Life Flight medical helicopter to Cleveland Metro Hospital. The explosion caused little to no damage to the surrounding area, and no other injuries were reported, Rospert said. A representative at Coles Energy told the Register the business will resume normal operations today. The Erie County Sheriff's Office, Milan Fire Department, and North Central EMS responded to the scene. The state Fire Marshall's Office and Occupational Safety and Health Administration were contacted regarding this incident. Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterEmergency crews responded to an explosion at Coles Energy, Inc. at 2619 Ohio 113 in Milan Township Tuesday morning. Emergency crews responded to an explosion at Coles Energy, Inc. at 2619 Ohio 113 in Milan Township Tuesday morning.