U.S.

Explosion at recycling plant in Illinois kills 2

/ CBS/AP

GRANITE CITY, Ill. -- Police say two people are dead and more are injured after an explosion at a recycling plant in southern Illinois.

CBS affiliate KMOX reports that at least one mortar shell exploded at the Totall Metal Recycling, and no one is allowed near the scene of the explosion for fear of another explosion if there are more mortar shells.

Granite City police tell television stations KMOV and KTVI that the bomb squad has been sent to the plant.

No more details have been released about the deaths. More than 160 people work at the plant, according to the company website.

The website says the company recycles everything from computers to automobiles. It also indicates that the company deals with the ammunition industry.

Messages left by The Associated Press with the police and fire departments were not immediately returned.

Granite City is about 8 miles northeast of St. Louis.

First published on August 25, 2014 / 11:11 AM EDT

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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