Massive explosions rock central Fla. gas plant

[July 30, 2013]  TAVARES, Fla. (AP) -- Tavares Fire Chief Richard Keith says officials don't suspect sabotage caused a series of explosions that rocked a propane gas plant in central Florida.

The explosions started around 10:30 p.m. Monday at the Blue Rhino propane plant.

All the workers at the plant were accounted for early Tuesday after officials initially couldn't account for more than a dozen employees.

John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff's Office says eight people were injured in the explosions. At least three of the victims are in critical condition. Some victims were taken to an Orlando hospital and another was taken to a burn unit in Gainesville.

Workers at the plant fill propane tanks for barbeques and other uses. There were about 53,000 tanks at the plant Monday night.

[Associated Press; By TAMARA LUSH]

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