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Missouri Chemical Plant Blast Injures Worker

An explosion at the SantoLubes chemical plant in St. Charles, Mo., has left one worker burned and the plant badly damaged.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) -- An explosion at a St. Louis-area chemical plant has left one worker burned and the plant badly damaged.

The Sunday morning explosion at the SantoLubes LLC plant in St. Charles, Mo., occurred in a building that housed several chemicals used to produce insecticides.

St. Charles Battalion Chief Michael Grzyb (GRIB') says the blast happened almost immediately after workers began a mixing process.

He says at least half the structure was in flames when firefighters arrived.

The injured worker was able to escape the fire on his own. Fire officials say he was hospitalized with burns over at least 30 percent of his body.

A woman answering the phone at SantoLubes on Monday said no one was available to comment.

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