Brush fire may have started blaze at manufacturing plant in Lebanon, Mo.

LEBANON, Mo. -- Several dozen workers escaped unharmed Monday when fire consumed a southwest Missouri manufacturing plant.

The blaze at the Marine Electrical Products plant in rural Laclede County sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky over Lebanon. The company makes plastic and fiberglass products.

Authorities believe the fire orginated in yard waste being burned at a nearby home.

Brian Barbo, president of Marine Electrical Products, said about 50 to 60 employees were inside the building as the fire approached about 1:30 p.m.

"We got everyone out when it got within about 10 feet" of the building, Barbo said.

Firefighters from several neighboring departments responded to the blaze.