SAWMILLS, N.C. (AP) -- Three people were slightly injured Thursday in a fire and explosion at the warehouse of a Caldwell County hazardous materials plant, leading to a voluntary evacuation of a nearby neighborhood, officials said.
It is unknown what set off an explosion at Stat Inc. Only four people were in the plant when the explosion occurred around 7:30 a.m.
Among the injured was the son of plant owner Garry Sparks. Robert Sparks was treated for burns on one arm and released from Frye Regional Medical Center, his father said.
Garry Sparks' brother, Ronnie, was treated for a burn at a local shelter, while employee Todd McClure was treated for an ankle injury at Frye, the plant owner said.
The fire was under control after about 45 minutes, officials said, but the main building at the site was destroyed.
Caldwell County Sheriff Gary Clark said it appeared that some lacquer dust bins in the warehouse exploded. He said the fire melted part of the supporting structure of the roof, causing it to partially collapse.
``The dust can create its own combustion, much like when you put up wet hay,'' Clark said. ``We're still not sure what caused it. There was no heat source, no static electricity or electricity. That's what's so strange.''
Officials ordered a voluntary evacuation, Sawmills Town Manager Bob Frye said. Residents and businesses around the facility for a third of a mile were asked to evacuate and a shelter was set up at Hudson Middle School.
Robin Bean, the secretary at the school, said there weren't many people at the shelter in the afternoon.
``There's no panic at all,'' Bean said. ``It's pretty quiet.''
Stat Inc. had been disposing of lacquer dust, generated from furniture finishing, for about two years.
