BLACKSTONE, Va. (AP) - Thirteen Virginia National Guard soldiers sent to hospitals after a training device exploded at Fort Pickett are back on duty.
Maj. Cotton Puryear says a soldier closest to the blast remains hospitalized with second-degree burns and small lacerations to her hand. The soldier, who wasn't identified, was in stable condition Thursday and is expected to make a full recovery.
Puryear says a small pyrotechnic device used for training exploded Wednesday night in a building while soldiers were taking inventory of training materials. The device simulates the sound of explosions.
The other soldiers were sent to hospitals in the region as a precaution. They were treated and released.
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