First responders were called to the Hot Metal Coatings facility in Midfield, AL on Tuesday after an explosion occurred at the site, local news organizations reported. Three people were received non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.  

Firefighters and police responded to the Industrial Boulevard plant at about 2 p.m. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Battalion Chief Sebastian Carrillo told the news website that the blast was a dust explosion, which lit the ceiling’s insulation on fire. 

Officials said the explosion may have originated in a dust collection point, according to coverage by television news station WVTM. The three injured people were transported to an area hospital for treatment. 

Some 500,000 lb of calcium silicon, a water-reactive chemical, was stored inside of the Hot Metal Coatings plant when the incident occurred.

Hot Metal Coatings was established in 1976 and focuses on the formulation and manufacturing of refractory coatings, proprietary inoculants, and carbon raisers, information on the firm’s website said. The company’s eight-acre facility in Midfield contains 100,000 sq ft of manufacturing space, as well as bulk processing and storage areas. 

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