August 8, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Less than a week after residents in the Snow Hill area were rocked by an explosion from a concrete company doing prep work for the development of a quarry on North Driver Road, the State Fire Marshal’s office has apparently concluded that no laws were violated in regard to the blast discharge.
The state opened an investigation after receiving complaints from those who felt the blast last Wednesday afternoon including Michael and his son Lucas Antoniak who live on the Old Snow Hill Road
Unaware that the company, Smyrna Ready Mix (SRM) had even moved into the neighborhood, the Antoniaks tracked down the source of the explosion and found work underway for a 100-acre rock quarry. According to the Antoniaks, some rock from the blast was also on the highway.
Michael Antoniak, who spoke with WJLE this week, said he has since learned from the State Fire Marshal’s office that the concrete company’s blast discharge was within the legal limits and he wanted the public to be updated.
“I think in fairness, since the complaint I filed with the state has appeared in the media, often times there is no follow up. I want to set things straight because I did talk to the fire marshal who is investigating my complaint and other complaints,” said Antoniak. “Everything about that explosion down there at what’s going to be a quarry we think was well within legal bounds. If anyone felt the shock you should be aware that it was only one quarter of what they are actually allowed to do so everything they did was legal as far as I can tell. The state fire marshal found no problems so, in fairness, we have to let that be known,” he said.
Antoniak also offered some advice for neighbors in the Snow Hill area who might yet again be affected by a blasting operation.
“It’s a good idea to know that if the quarry goes in you should document everything about your house including your foundation, your basement, your water source if you are relying on a spring or well”.