UPDATE: 8/29/08 6:31 AM

NBC News Channel: One person is dead and another injured after an explosion at a chemical plant in West Virginia.

The explosion happened late Thursday night at the Bayer Cropscience Plant in Institute, near Charleston.

One person was killed in the blast, a second person is at a hospital in Pittsburgh being treated for his injuries.

Officials had shut down local roads, and told people to stay indoors, but have since lifted those orders.

Officials say it may be weeks before they determine what caused the blast.

(Copyright 2008 by the NBC News Channel. All rights Reserved.)

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UPDATE: 8/29/08 2:55 AM
Institute, WV(AP) -- One worker is missing and a second was injured in an explosion at a Bayer Cropscience Plant that forced thousands of nearby residents to shelter in place.

Bayer spokesman Mike Wey says the explosion occurred about 10:25 p.m. Thursday. The explosion, which witnesses say sent a fireball hundreds of feet into the air, ignited waste residue in a section of the plant that produces insecticides.

Wey says the injured worker suffered burns and was transferred to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment. Wey said both workers are senior employees at the plant.

He said a search for the missing worker won't be conducted until the fire is extinguished.

The plant is located about 10 miles west of Charleston.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights Reserved.)
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UPDATE: 8/29/08 12:58 AM
Institute, WV (AP) -- Authorities say an explosion at a Bayer Plant in West Virginia shook the area and sent at least one worker to the hospital with third-degree burns.

Kanawha County Manger Brent Pauley says the explosion happened around 10:50 p.m. Thursday at the Bayer Cropscience Plant in Institute, which is West of Charleston.

Pauley says the explosion happened in an area of the plant that makes pesticides.

Authorities are urging residents in several communities nearby to stay in their homes as a precaution.

Pauley says the explosion sent a fire plume up to 60 feet in the air and that he felt it from 10 miles away. Firefighters are still on the scene fighting the fire.

Reporters from our sister station WSAZ say if you have any questions please call 304-746-8828.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights Reserved.)

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Institute, WV (AP) -- An explosion at a Bayer Plant west of Charleston shook the area and has sent people to the hospital.

Authorities are urging nearby residents to stay in their homes Thursday night as a precaution.

It was not immediately known how many people were injured in the blast at the Bayer Cropscience Plant in Institute.

Authorities blocked Interstate 64 and State Route 25 in the area.

Reporters from our sister station WSAZ say if you have any questions please call 304-746-8828.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights Reserved.)