New Zealand Fertilizer Plant Reports Flash Fire

Five workers were treated and released Monday morning after a sulfur dust flash fire at a New Zealand fertilizer plant.

The workers are believed to have inhaled sulphur dioxide, local media report. Only one of the five suffered worse than minor injuries.

A spokesperson for the Ravensdown plant in Dunedin, New Zealand, said that work was underway to remove a hopper when the dust explosion occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Welding equipment was not in use.

No fire was burning when firefighters arrived but the flash did stir a large amount of dust that rose above the plant in a thick plume.