An explosion early Tuesday killed two people at an aluminum recycling plant where molten metal is poured into containers and injured another, a company spokesman said.
The explosion occurred shortly after 3 a.m. in a production area where aluminum is melted down for recycling, said Mike Shaw, human resources and safety director for Arkansas Aluminum Alloys.
There was no fire and no chemical release, but the company shut off power to the plant as a safety precaution, he said.
“We don’t know what caused it at this point,” Shaw said early Tuesday. He said emergency crews were investigating.
The names of the workers were not immediately released. Shaw said the survivor suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
According to the company’s Web site, Arkansas Aluminum Alloys Inc. uses furnaces and casting equipment to recycle aluminum scrap metal. The furnaces are equipped with molten metal pumps, degassing equipment and ceramic foam filters.
The plant, which operates around the clock with about 30 employees, is 55 miles southwest of Little Rock.