3 hurt in chemical explosion at southeastern Arkansas plant

HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. – Three workers performing maintenance duties at a chemical plant in southeastern Arkansas were injured when a decomposing product exploded.

The Helena Daily World reported the explosion occurred Wednesday morning at United Initiators, which makes peroxide. The plant is located in an industrial park in Helena-West Helena, 3 miles (5 kilometres) from the Mississippi River.

Jon Cummins, the plant’s vice-president of manufacturing, says the chemical involved was benzoyl peroxide. Cummins said there were no chemical releases caused by the explosion. It wasn’t immediately clear how serious the workers’ injuries were.

WREG-TV of Memphis, Tennessee, reported that no fire occurred.

The company stopped production to begin an investigation.

Germany-based United Initiators acquired its Helena-West Helena plant in 2012, according to the company’s website.