Explosion at California Research Plant Leaves One Dead, Report Says

MENLO PARK, Calif. – One person was killed and two were seriously injured Friday afternoon in an explosion at a commercial research plant in Menlo Park, Calif., KNTV reported.

The incident reportedly occurred at 4:15pm local time at the Membrane Technologies and Research (MTR) plant, located in the San Francisco Bay area, when a cylinder filled with methane gas was being moved in the facility.

Emergency crews told KNTV that two people were seriously injured and about a dozen others suffered more minor injuries in the explosion.

There were reports of other workers possibly being trapped in the facility, but no further details were immediately available, KCBS-TV reported.

According to its website, MTR works in the development and production of membrane-based separation systems for the petrochemical, natural gas and refining industries.