4 hurt in apparent explosion at Baltimore Coca-Cola bottling plant

Multiple people were injured when equipment apparently exploded at a Coca-Cola bottling facility in Baltimore City, according to the fire department. 

Baltimore City firefighters said they were told a blast involving equipment that handles carbon dioxide occurred at Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated in the 700 block of N. Kresson Street just before 10:30 a.m. Sunday. 

Firefighters said they found and rescued "multiple injured patients and immediately began providing emergency medical care."

One person was hospitalized in critical condition, two were were treated at the scene and another was taken to the hospital in serious, but stable condition, the fire department said. 

Coca-Cola Consolidated sent the following statement about its Baltimore facility:  

"We're continuing to conduct a thorough investigation, but what we've learned is that earlier today, employees of an external vendor were injured while performing CO₂-related work inside our facility at 701 N. Kresson Street in Baltimore, MD. Those individuals were immediately transported to a local hospital for evaluation and care.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Please stay with CBS News Baltimore for updates.