Picking up the Pieces

Almost a month after the explosion at Dixie Crystal things are slowly getting back to normal.  

Some employees have already returned to work as the company is trying their best to make sure their sugar continues to be shipped throughout the country.

News Three’s Night Side Reporter Alice Massimi got a peak at their temporary set-up and found out what it means to the community.

 

Everything takes time.

It's something the Dixie Crystal community is slowly learning.

While the plant is far from up and running just a couple of miles from the site of the tragedy sugar is flowing. Its Dixie Crystals temporary shipping and receiving facility.

Out of the 372 employees at Dixie Crystal about 170 are back at work. Around 45 of them are working at a warehouse in Port Wentworth. They’re making sure the product they do have in stock is shipped throughout the region.

The community says it’s a sign of better times.

The employees are very excited to be back at it again. Originally I think there was doubt of whether they were going to rebuild again, of whether they were going to have jobs,” says Patrick Foran who was born and raised in Port Wentworth.

Recently Port Wentworth Mayor and lifelong Resident Glenn Jones says he's seen people smiling again.

“I heard Ms. O'Neal who works over there; she said we are slowly but surely picking up all the pieces. It is great for the city and for the employees and their families.”

Jones says this past month has been tough, but things are beginning to look up.

“It’s just been a joyful prayer for the people to say yes we are going to rebuild and the cornerstone of our community for all of these years is coming back,” says Jones.

As the rebuilding continues and time passes, Mayor Jones asks the community to remember one thing, “never forget what happened for the tragedies and that we lost loved one.”

The CEO of Imperial Sugar, John Sheptor says it will probably be two years till the plant is completely rebuilt.