Explosion at Elkem in Kristiansand

Explosion at Elkem in Kristiansand Thursday afternoonExplosion at Elkem in Kristiansand Thursday afternoon.Photo: Tor Erik Schrøder / NTB scanpix

Multiple windows and part of a wall was blown out during an explosion at Elkem in Kristiansand, but none was seriously injured.

Explosion was probably due to a blow to a furnace.

– It is only material damage, there are no people whom are injured in the explosion. We don’t know yet what has caused it, says Kristin Karlstad, head of Elkem’s communications department, to the news agency NTB.

The area was evacuated after it emerged a water leak earlier Thursday.

Elkem also states that they will now investigate the accident to determine the cause of the explosion.

– There was no one in the area when it exploded, but one person is sent to the emergency department for check because of the smoke coming from the area, said Karlstad.

There were no open flames at the site after the explosion and crews work to cool down the furnace. Police said there is no danger of more explosions.

Elkem Solar in Kristiansand dealing with the production of solar-grade silicon.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today