Explosion at Alabama Chemical Plant Kills 1

One person is dead following an explosion at a chemical plant in north Alabama.

Arab Fire Chief Ricky Phillips tells WHNT-TV that a contract worker died in a blast that happened Tuesday at Umicore Specialty Chemicals in Arab.

The explosion involved an empty sulfuric acid tank in a part of the plant that is still under construction. Authorities say a group of workers was making connections to the tank when the accident occurred.

Officials say there isn’t any danger to the public. The company’s website calls it a leader in recycling and refining cobalt and nickel specialty chemicals, which it also markets.

The victim’s name hasn’t been released.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will investigate.