Blast hits Russian nuclear smelter

MOSCOW, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A smelter exploded about a mile from a St. Petersburg nuclear plant, leaving one person dead and two with severe burns.

The explosion rocked Ecomet-S, the first private company in Russia to handle radioactive materials. The blast occurred early Thursday, spilling hot metal that engulfed three workers, the Russian Information Agency Novosti reported. The two survivors remained hospitalized Friday.

A spokesman at the nearby nuclear plant said the explosion did not affect operations or area radiation levels.

Ecomet-S, which began operations in 1994, recycles low-level radioactive metals. Other accidents were reported in 2002 and 2003, Novosti said.