AUSTIN -- An explosion at a Dripping Springs distillery sent one man to the hospital with severe burns Friday morning.

It happened at the San Luis Spirits distillery in Dripping Springs.

Authorities say a contract employee was welding in a shed, which caused ethyl alcohol to explode.

The man was airlifted to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his hands and legs. The injuries are not life-threatening.

San Luis Spirits co-owner Kevin Kelleher said the explosion and ensuing fire shut down production at the distillery, but he plans to restore the plant to production.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report