Five dead in Middletown, CT, explosion

Middletown (WTNH) - Five people were killed sunday in an explosion at a power plant under construction in Middletown, Connecticut, Sunday. Authorities continue searching for anyone who may may be trapped.

At an evening news conference Mayor Sebastian Giuliano confirmed the number of fatalities. He said it was unclear exactly how many people were working at the site Sunday.

No names have been released, and not all families have been notified.

The explosion happened at the Kleen Energy natural gas and oil plant under construction on River Road around 11:17 a.m. Here are the latest details from authorities:

• 50 or so workers believed in the building today - number not clear.
• This was a working construction site 95% complete
• Workers were doing a 'blow down' to clear gas from the lines when the explosion occurred
• "Terrorism has been ruled out", mayor said
• No word on where the workers are from - are likely Connecticut people
• Fire is completely out
• State Police Major Crimes Squad on the scene, with many other state, local agencies
• Red Cross hotline - 860-347-2577

Mayor Giuliano said there was "no present or continuing threat" from substances or further explosion from the plant.

The exact cause of the explosion is unknown at this time. The plant was in the process of doing a "blow down", clearing the natural gas lines, when the explosion occurred. Testing had been going on at the plant all weekend, the mayor said.

The Kleen Energy plant was 95% complete and was due to be finished in the summer.

The mayor said there does not appear to be any serious structural damage to the building.

Two LifeStar helicopters were called to the scene to carry severely injured patients. State police deployed detectives and cadaver dogs to the scene to help Middletown authorities, state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said. "We're sending any and all resources in the event they may be needed," Lt. Vance said.

There were initial reports there may have been 300 people in the building at the time of the explosion. Mayor Giuliano said they don't know exactly how many people were working on the site Sunday. They have to get lists from multiple contractors who are working on the plant.

"We're just trying to get a count of the persons involved," Lt. Governor Michael Fedele said.

Bernadette Nyland was outside in her yard with her dogs when she heard the blast. "They were doing the firing of the engines this morning and so something went wrong and it blew up and flames came shooting up almost as tall as that stack," she said.

Susan Matterazzo has a relative who was supposed to go to the plant today. "He's extremely upset" about what happened, she said. "He's watching it on the news just like we are and I'm just glad he is ok."

The explosion was felt in multiple towns across Connecticut, including Wallingford, North Haven, North Branford and Cheshire. WTNH-TV news anchor Darren Kramer said on Twitter was outside in North Guilford when he heard the explosion. "Sound was huge and low. Lasted several seconds. Assumed sonic boom."

Another @WTNH follower named Jennifer said via Twitter, "First thought was earthquake or huge gust of wind--whole house shook, very brief but powerful."

Shelby wrote on Twitter "my whole town was writting on facebook asking if it was a easrthquake, Northford"

Mayor Giuliano said he felt the explosion while coming out of church. "Felt almost like a sonic boom."

Others heard or felt the explosion in Oxford and as far away as Mystic.

Dozens of emergency personnel from multiple towns and agencies are on the scene. In the rush to offer assistance however it may be needed, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said via Twitter "Our HazMat and Decon trailer are on standby for Middletown."

Hospitals in Middletown and Portland went into disaster/mass casualty modes in the hours after the explosion.

Middlesex Hospital, which had been in a disaster mode, is now scaling back from its disaster plan. They are not treating burn victims, but patients have injuries to extremities, such as broken bones. WTNH reporter Sara Welch said one patient with a head injury was transported to Hartford Hospital.

Bridgeport Hospital, which has a burn center, is allso on standby, but a spokesman says they have not yet been alerted that any patient is heading their way.

Governor Jodi Rell visited the scene a few hours after the explosion. A statement from her office said the governor Rell has activated the Emergency Operations Center in Hartford, whch was "being staffed by: the state Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), Department of Public Health (DPH), the National Guard and the State Police. DPH is providing tents at the scene for shelter and medical triage.

The Governor also activated the Urban Search and Rescue Team, which was expected to remain on site late into the evening.

The Red Cross has set up a toll free, 24-hour hotline for anyone who is concerned about a loved one or who has questions regarding this incident;