Yaffe Metals intends to sell its Muskogee facility

Yaffe Metals Company in Muskogee, the scene of a fatal explosion back in December, intends to sell the plant to a St. Louis company. <br/><br/>Some are sorry to see the longtime, family-owned business

Wednesday, March 23rd 2005, 10:10 am

By: News On 6

Yaffe Metals Company in Muskogee, the scene of a fatal explosion back in December, intends to sell the plant to a St. Louis company.

Some are sorry to see the longtime, family-owned business change hands, citing his contributions to the community, but those who live nearby are happy and say Yaffe has been a continual headache.

News on 6 reporter Steve Berg says Ivory Vann doesn't open his storm door, he walks through it. Just one of the things he says was damaged in the December explosion. "Windows, front doors messed up and I just put the windows there to keep the cold air out and it's been like that since December 28th, since the blast hit." Two people were killed in the explosion. And several nearby homes had heavy damage.

Vann was in bed at the time and says he has hearing loss from the noise of the explosion. He says his roof and ceiling and foundation were damaged. "And shoot, there's another one in 1995."

Neighbor Brenda Burchett has compiled dozens of newspapers clippings, along with copies of lawsuits and OSHA violations and Department of Environmental Quality complaints. Yaffe's insurance fixed her house, but all is not forgiven. She and Vann feel the explosion is just the latest and the most serious in a long pattern of poor Yaffe management. "In July 25th of '87, blaze levels Yaffe buildings, employees flee before fire races through office."

Ivory Vann: "I'm hopeful the new owners will do a better job." Certainly, it's a difficult business. There are Yaffe employees that have high praise for the management. As do some city officials who are sorry to hear about the sale. But some neighbors have a perspective they say you can only get from living next to the plant. Ivory Vann: "I've lived here all my life. I'm determined to stick it out."

Yaffe officials declined our request for an interview. It's expected that OSHA will have the results of its investigation into the explosion on Friday.

The new owners, if they buy it, say they expect to keep the plant open.