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Explosions Rock Magnesium Plant
VENICE, Ill. (AP) -- Authorities in the Madison County community of Venice say no one was injured in a series of explosions and fire that shook a local magnesium plant.

Authorities say the blasts took place at the Magnesium Elektron plant late Monday night. They told the Alton Telegraph that workers were working with a dozen coils in a furnace when something triggered the initial explosion, which was followed by several smaller booms.

At the height of the fire, a huge plume of smoke covered a wide area around the plant.

The high temperature fire largely was allowed to burn itself out, because water cannot be used on magnesium. Sand eventually was used to douse the flames.

A nearby elementary school was closed Tuesday as a precaution.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
10 06 10 by Newsroom
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