Aluminum Smelter Fire Reported in Central Mexico

A smelter in central Mexico dealing in recycled aluminum reported a fire Wednesday with three workers suffering from smoke inhalation, local media report.

More than a thousand workers from the Recuperadora de Materiales (RMP) company and adjoining factories were evacuated after the first report of the fire at 9 a.m. in Aquascalientes. Loses from the fire are expected to exceed the $1 million mark.

Eight workers were recovering argon and industrial oxygen tanks when an oil leak ignited, witnesses said.

Workers were able to return to work an hour later.