Several Dead in Power Plant Explosion
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Sunday, February 07, 2010
A huge explosion has rocked a power plant in the US state of Connecticut, killing at least five people and injuring 12.
Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano said it was caused by a gas explosion. People living up to 50km (30 miles) away reported that their homes were shaken by the blast at the Kleen Energy plant, being built outside Middletown. There are reports of people trapped under the remains of a plant building, and a rescue operation is under way.
Middletown Fire Department Deputy Fire Marshall Al Santostefano said there were about 50 construction workers on the site at the time of the explosion, and that Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell had approved the deployment of urban search-and-rescue teams at the scene.
The back of one of the plant's largest buildings had been heavily damaged, he told reporters.
"There is a possibility that there might be people trapped in the rubble," he said, adding that officials were not aware how many workers were unaccounted for.
There were at least 100 firefighters on the scene and it had taken them an hour to contain the fire caused by the blast, he said.
Officials have said there is no further danger to the public, and have not evacuated the area. The plant, however, remains cordoned off.
The nearby Middlesex Hospital told the Associated Press it had received 11 victims, while the hospital the state capital, Hartford, has treated three others. Governor Rell is on her way to Middletown and has activated the state emergency operations centre in Hartford. Mr Santostefano said a natural gas pipeline running near the plant had exploded at 1117 (1617 GMT). The cause is not yet known.