Five killed in plant blast in Connecticut

MIDDLETOWN, Conn., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- At least five people were killed and dozens more were hurt in an explosion Sunday at a power plant being built near Middletown, Conn., officials said.

Deputy Fire Marshal Al Santostefano said the 11 a.m. EST explosion was being investigated but the blast appears to have occurred as plant operators attempted to purge gas from pipelines, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported.

As many as 100 people were injured in the plant explosion, and four of those were in critical condition following the blast. Santostefano told the Courant there is a possibility additional victims could be trapped in the wreckage of the plant building where the explosion apparently occurred.

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration arrived at the scene Sunday "to conduct a comprehensive investigation."

The shock wave from the explosion site at the Kleen Energy Systems on River Road was so intense homeowners miles away mistakenly assumed the central part of Connecticut had experienced an earthquake, the newspaper said.

Rescue officers attempted to compile a casualty list but were hampered by lack of information about the number and names of workers onsite Sunday.

"There are bodies everywhere," an unidentified witness told the Courant.

Construction on the site was nearing completion prior to the explosion. The plant, which was under construction for several years, is intended to burn natural gas to produce electricity.