News Local/State

Indiana GM Plant Chemical Blast Kills 1, Injures 5

 

Authorities say a chemical explosion at a General Motors metal-stamping plant in Indiana has left one person dead and five others injured.

Marion Deputy Police Chief Cliff Sessoms says the blast killed 48-year-oldJames L. Gibson, a GM contractor.
 
A Marion General Hospital spokeswoman says five other people have non-life threatening injuries.
 
GM spokeswoman Stephanie Jentgen says "the situation is contained'' and "everybody has been evacuated'' from the plant in Marion, about 60 miles northeast of Indianapolis.
 
Assistant Fire Chief Greg Yeakle tells the Marion Chronicle-Tribune that chlorine dioxide was involved in the explosion.
 
GM spokesman Bill Grotz says an investigation is underway.
 
The plant employs about 1,600 workers. It provides blanks, stampings and sheet metal assembly for vehicles to GM assembly plants across North America.