On January 15, 1958, an explosion occurred in the Chemical area of the Upjohn Portage Road plant. Heroic action by Ralph Van Zee, who was working in the area, saved the lives of two of his co-workers, both of which recovered and continued to work at Upjohn.  Ralph received a special award from the Lumbermans Mutual Casualty Company.  His daughter Esther kept all the information below about this incident.