In a major blow to efforts to restart steelmaking at Sparrows Point, the mill’s main furnace suffered an accident late last week that has halted production.

Bette Kovach, spokesperson for RG Steel, confirmed late today that the mill “experienced an operating issue that has temporarily suspended operations at the blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace.”

Sources told The Brew that a “dropped burden” in the towering “L” blast furnace caused an onrush of molten iron that burned through the furnace pipes, known as tuyeres, and caused substantial damage.

According to the sources, an independent contractor working at the furnace was burned by the molten iron, reportedly in the face, and a second employee was injured in the incident.

Kovach did not respond to emails today asking if there were any injuries or to describe the cause of the accident.

Controlled by New York financier Ira Rennert, RG Steel purchased Sparrows Point from Severstal two months ago, vowing to return the mill to full production

Two weeks ago, the company started the delicate process of “blowing in” L furnace, which had been out of operation for 10 months under Severstal.

RG Steel was hoping to build up a stockpile of steel this month and begin shipping finishing products to customers from Sparrows Point during the week of June 6.

Kovach said “preparations are under way to restart the operations as soon as possible this week” and “no customers have been affected” by the stoppage. Currently, the mill ships limited amounts of tinplate and other finished products from steel made elsewhere and shipped to the Baltimore County facility.