School explosion injures eight, fells wall

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A construction company is cleaning up after an explosion at a Virginia middle school blew a 50-foot hole in a classroom during the weekend, police say.

Just before 7 a.m. Sunday, eight workers were repairing a storm-damaged roof at Crittenden Middle School, when an explosion blew out a 50 foot brick wall in a shop classroom, Newport News police spokesman Lou Thurston said.

The eight workers were transported to local medical centers with injuries and burns. One is in critical condition, The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reported.

The fire department is determining whether classes can resume Tuesday, city building official Michael Redifer said. The decision will be based on structural safety, and whether the fire system, which had been damaged, can be repaired in time, the newspaper said.

Officials have not determined a cause for the explosion.