Mortar shell explodes at Illinois plant, killing 2

GRANITE CITY, Ill., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- At least two people are dead and a third injured after an explosion at a recycling plant in Illinois, northeast of St. Louis.

Employees streamed out of the Totall Metal Recycling plant in Granite City Monday morning as a bomb squad was called in.

Authorities cordoned off the site of the explosion, fearing another, and early reports indicated the explosion may have been caused by a live mortar shell.

The company's website says it employs more than 160 people.

There was no immediate word on the extent of the injuries to the third person.

#BREAKING looks like more employees leaving Totall Metal Recycling in Granite City @kmov pic.twitter.com/WkQahSAoj1

— Laura Hettiger KMOV (@LauraKHettiger) August 25, 2014