Imperial Sugar, 2 Years After Plant Explosion

Sunday will mark two years since the tragic explosion at the Imperial Sugar plant in Port Wentworth.

Fourteen employees died in or after the explosion while dozens of others were injured.

Since the explosion, safety measures have been taken at the plant. They began rebuilding in October of 2008. They began full sugar production again this past fall and the trucks are rolling, delivering the products to customers.

This morning there was a breakfast for employees and ceremony for the Imperial family.

The plant manager tells me they wouldn't be where they are today without employees stepping forward and in order to go forward they must remember where they came from.

It's a night two years ago nobody here will ever forget. George Muller, the vice president of administration, was at home in Sugarland when he got the call.

"All the details weren't readily available but I can just remember sitting down and remembering oh gosh, I wonder how bad it is and then of course over the next several days and several weeks we found out obviously how devastating it was,” details George Muller, vice president of administration.

Fourteen Imperial employees, family members lost and dozens of others injured. Muller has been with the company for nearly 13 years, which includes many trips to Savannah.

"Your heart just goes out to them and their families and giving them support in whatever format that might be," continues Muller.

Savannah plant manager, Thomas Rathke joined the team in November of 2008 when the last parts of demolition were taking place and as the rebuild started.

"You get a good packed picture of what happened and I think that's part of what this weekend is all about is to really reflect and honor those people who have died and that are still healing and those who are involved in the rebuild. It's a very important thing that you know where you came from and where you're going," says Rathke, plant manager here in Savannah.

Imperial Sugar will be holding a private memorial service for employees and their families this weekend.

There will be an interfaith memorial service on Sunday at the St. Phillips AME Church, located on Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard.

As for the 350 employees at the refinery, Rathke says of course this week is rough, but they're doing outstanding, thanks to their support for each other and from the community.