5 Hurt in Georgia-Pacific Explosion

Reports that the fire began on a propane-fueled fork lift remain unconfirmed.

Firefighters battle a large fire at the Georgia-Pacific paper plant east of Muskogee on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Muskogee County officials say an explosion and fire were reported late Monday night at the Georgia-Pacific plant in Muskogee.
Firefighters battle a large fire at the Georgia-Pacific paper plant east of Muskogee on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Muskogee County officials say an explosion and fire were reported late Monday night at the Georgia-Pacific plant in Muskogee.
Mike Simons/Tulsa World via AP

MUSKOGEE, OKLA. (AP) — Officials say a fire and subsequent explosion at a Georgia-Pacific paper mill in eastern Oklahoma injured at least five people.

Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service operations director Ron Morris says four injured were taken to a hospital with smoke inhalation and undisclosed "minor trauma." A fifth person was treated at the scene. 

Georgia-Pacific spokeswoman Karen Cole said two people were still hospitalized Tuesday. 

The fire and explosion that followed occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Monday at the Georgia-Pacific plant in Muskogee, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Tulsa. 

Cole said firefighters were still trying to determine what caused the blaze and that reports that the fire began on a propane-fueled fork lift are unconfirmed. 

Fire Chief Mike O'Dell did not immediately return a phone call for comment Tuesday.


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