A Maui Brewing Co. employee was injured Monday morning when a 55-gallon drum exploded after he started using a plasma cutter to open the empty drum that once held isopropyl alcohol, a fire official said.

Kihei firefighters and medics, responding to the call at about 11 a.m., treated the 47-year-old man, who suffered injuries to his face and forearm, said Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro. He said the man was conscious and alert when he was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

A Kahului Hazmat company and Wailea ladder company were initially called to respond as a precaution, Yatsushiro said.