Six Confirmed Dead in Georgia Sugar Refinery Blast

Several news sources are reporting that six peoples have now been confirmed dead in the Thursday evening explosion at Imperial Sugar (United Press International claims that the factory is known as "Dixie Crystals"), a sugar refinery seven miles outside of Savannah, Georgia.

According to BBC News, it is believed that the fiery blast was caused by the explosion of sugar dust. BBCnews.co.uk reports that sugar dust can explode if it creates a type of cloud formation in the air and is then ignited.

Police have said that the damage at the refinery was extensive, and there have been reports that the explosion could be heard and felt several miles away.

About 100 workers are believed to have been on the site at the time of the explosion, and United Press International reported that at least 30 people have been injured and many others are still unaccounted for, still believed to be in the building.

Thepost.com reported that Georgia Fire Commissioner, John Oxendine stated that workers who survived the blast could have done so by escaping to an old ammunition bunker under the plant.

Dr. Jay Goldstein, of the Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, said, "We've seen people that have had burns to their hands all the way to about 80 to 90% of their body."