The co-owner of Fleming Cleaners at 903 North Poplar in Centralia says don’t count them out as she promised to stay in business after a dry cleaning machine exploded and caused considerable damage Tuesday morning.
72-year-old Virgilia Detering was also struck by the handle to the door of the machine as it flew across the room. She was taken to the emergency room at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment of injuries, where she remained about six hours on Tuesday.
Detering says the insurance company told her they could remain open during the cleanup process. However, not all services will be available immediately. Detering says that right now they can fold clothes. The piping to their other machines was damaged, and a sink was knocked off the wall by debris from the blown-off door. A plumber has been contacted to make repairs.
The insurance company is helping her find a newer used dry cleaning machine so that portion of the business can resume.
Detering says she loves her customers and hopes they will stop by between regular hours of eight and five Monday through Friday. The business will be closed for vacation the week of June 27th.
The dry cleaning machine that blew up. Photo by TIm Ferguson.
The handle that hit the owner, who, I guess, spent the night in the hospital and was just released this afternoon. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
the damaged wall and items the door hit. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
The door that flew off, hitting the washers and wash tub on the opposite wall. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
Virgilia Detering shows the damaged wall and items the door hit.
