Seven people have been hurt after a series of explosion at a propane plant in central Florida this morning.
Three of the 24 workers at the plant have been critically injured with burns after the blasts, which began around 3am UK time this morning at the Blue Rhino plant in Tavares
Initial fears that a further 15 people were missing were resolved after all were found safe and well, while nobody from outside the plant was hurt by the blasts, which could be heard miles away.
Lake County Sheriff’s department spokesman John Herrell described the situation as ‘a very, very dangerous scene’.
The Blue Rhino plant refills propane tanks typically used for barbecues and other uses. Mr Herrell said there are usually 53,000 20lb propane tanks at the factory.
A chain reaction of propane tank explosions could be heard and felt for miles around, with tall columns of flames visible in the night sky.
The plant, built in 2004, employs fewer than 50 people.
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Video footage on WESH-TV in Orlando showed fires burning through trucks used to transport propane tanks, which were parked at the plant.
The fire was sending plumes of smoke into the air nearly two hours after the blast. Emergency crews could also be seen massing nearby.
Mr Herrell said an evacuation zone was initially a one-mile radius but had been reduced to half a mile. No injuries were reported from residents in the area.