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PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) — A late-night explosion and fire broke out at a natural gas plant in southern Mississippi, but there were no injuries or fatalities reported, police said early Tuesday.
Pascagoula Police Capt. Shannon Broom said authorities received a report about the explosion at a BP plant around 11:30 p.m. Monday night. He told The Associated Press that the company reported that while employees were at the site when the blast happened, everyone appeared to be safe.
Broom, who was reached by phone near the scene, said firefighters were working early Tuesday to put out the fire.
"It's contained to the plant and is in the process of being extinguished," he added of the fire.
He said authorities weren't aware of any injuries in the immediate aftermath but that details were still preliminary early Tuesday as fire crews were at the scene.
WLOX-TV reported that emergency crews at the site blocked off and traffic diverted as they secured the area for firefighters. The station posted brief video footage at its online site showing flames and smoke rising from the area. WLOX-TV also reported that crews from a fire station nearly 10 miles distant had felt the vibrations from the explosion even before heading to the site.
The Jackson County emergency services director was expected to issue a statement with more details later Tuesday morning. The official didn't immediately respond to messages and emails left by AP.
BP officials couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
Pascagoula is located along the Gulf of Mexico, about 30 miles east of Biloxi.
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