Police say 6 missing, dozens hurt in sugar refinery explosion

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (AP) — The search goes on today for six people missing after an explosion and fire at a sugar refinery in the Savannah suburb of Port Wentworth that left dozens injured.

Officials have not determined what caused yesterday’s explosion but say they suspect sugar dust, which can be volatile. Witnesses described widespread damage.

Savannah-Chatham County Police Chief Michael Berkow says there were 95 to 100 people believed to be working in the area of the explosion and firefighters are still battling the blaze this
morning.

Berkow said at least 40 people were taken to area hospitals, and some of them were airlifted to a burn center in Augusta, 130 miles up the Savannah River.