Explosion at California factory kills 2, injures 1

[March 20, 2009]  RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. (AP) -- An explosion in a plastic manufacturing plant in Orange County has killed two people and injured a third person, authorities said Friday.

The force of the blast on Thursday night blew a concrete wall in the Solus Industrial Innovations building and shook a fire station across the street, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg McKeown said.

Firefighters rushed inside and found two bodies. A third victim was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, the captain said.

Three workers who were outside the building declined treatment, he said.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

A company representative could not immediately be reached. A telephone recording at Solus said all circuits were busy.

[Associated Press]

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