1 Dead, Several Hurt in Miss. Explosion

One person was killed and several others injured in an explosion Wednesday at a copper plant in northeast Mississippi, emergency officials said.

The Itawamba County Emergency Management Agency confirmed to The Associated Press that there was a blast at Mueller Industries Inc. in Fulton but did not immediately have other details.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Jeff Rent saids local officials confirmed the death and injuries, and Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson told WTVA-TV in nearby Tupelo that a medical helicopter and ambulances were sent.

An official with Mueller Industries said the company is still assessing the blast damage. The fire is out.

Officials said a Hazmat team decontaminated people who had chemicals on them.

Memphis, Tenn.-based Mueller Industries makes copper tube and fittings, among other products. The company also has plants in Arkansas, Tennessee, California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Mueller is also located in Canada, Mexico, and Great Britain.

The company has four plants -- Mueller Copper Tube, Mueller Casting, Mueller Copper Fittings and Mueller Custom Pack -- on the same road in Fulton.