Explosion rocks Ohio power plant

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Story Published: Jan 8, 2007 at 4:07 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 8, 2007 at 5:17 PM PDT

By MARK WILLIAMS Associated Press Writer

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BEVERLY, Ohio (AP) - An explosion at a coal-burning power plant killed a worker delivering liquid hydrogen and injured nine others Monday, authorities said.

Officials weren't sure what caused the blast outside the Muskingum River Plant, said Vikki Michalski, a spokeswoman for American Electric Power.

"It was real strong," said Doug Burke, who was operating a front-end loader about a half-mile from the plant. "I felt it inside my loader, and I looked up and saw smoke and then fire, and then after that steam."

Although hydrogen gas is highly explosive, it is used to cool steam generators at the plant because it has a high capacity for heat and is more efficient than using air.

Nine workers were treated at local hospitals for injuries, mostly cuts and bruises, authorities said. None of the injuries was considered life-threatening.

There was no major damage to the plant, where 210 people work, officials said.

There are just a handful of homes and businesses near the plant.

AEP is one of the nation's largest power generators, with more than 5 million customers in 11 states.

The plant, which is near the West Virginia border and about 100 miles southeast of Columbus, continued to produce electricity after the explosion although the unit near the blast was shut down.

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