Explosion Survivor Blake Deegan Shares His Story

When a powerful explosion erupted at his job site, Blake Deegan was just 50 feet away. One moment, he was working alongside his crew, and the next, he was surrounded by fire, chaos, and panic.

“Everyone was running for their lives basically.”

The noise was deafening. Flames shot out across the site as people screamed and ran. Blake remembers dropping everything he was carrying—hoses, tools, anything that could slow him down—and sprinting to safety.

As he ran, he saw injuries that will stay with him forever.

“Some of them had their masks melted onto their faces. One guy had burns all over his back through his shirt.”

Amid the chaos, Blake twisted his neck while trying to escape.

Turning to Arnold & Itkin

In the days that followed, Blake didn’t know what to do. He was injured, in pain, and unsure how to get help. Then some of his crew members told him about Arnold & Itkin.

“Part of my crew told me, ‘Hey, Arnold & Itkin, they’re really good lawyers, and they can help you.’”

When he met with the team, he immediately felt supported, and for Blake, that support changed everything.

“By myself, I would’ve never been able to make it this far. It’s going to change my life forever.”

Standing Up for Workers After Industrial Disasters

Blake’s story is a reminder of what so many workers face when disaster strikes—uncertainty, fear, and injury through no fault of their own. At Arnold & Itkin, we stand with those workers after serious work accidents. We make sure they have what they need to recover, rebuild, and move forward with dignity. We believe no one should face tragedy alone. We fight for people like Blake every day because every worker deserves to be protected, supported, and heard.