DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Spilled molten steel caused a fire and explosion Monday in a steel plant at the sprawling River Rouge industrial complex, injuring at least four people, a hospital spokeswoman said.
A large transport vehicle carrying molten steel got stuck coming out of a tunnel, and molten steel sloshed out and hit tires, which exploded, said Ford Motor Co. spokeswoman Francine Romine.
Romine said two Ford employees, a firefighter and an employee of Severstal, a Russian steel company, suffered minor injuries.
The plant previously was owned by Ford and now is owned by Severstal. The companies share the complex in suburban Dearborn.
The four injured people were in good condition late Monday morning at Oakwood Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Beth Oates.
A spokesman for Severstal did not immediately return a call seeking information.
In 1999, a Ford boiler explored at the complex during routine maintenance, killing six employees and injuring 14 others. State regulators later found 15 workplace safety violations.
In 2001, a furnace blew and 2,000-degree molten steel spewed out, causing minor injuries to two workers.
