Explosion rocks warehouse in Indiana; 3 people killed

ROCHESTER, Ind. (AP) -- An explosion rocked a warehouse that makes extinguishers for chimney fires Wednesday, killing three people, the mayor said.

Another person was critically burned, Mayor Phil Thompson said. Two other people escaped, but he didn't immediately know whether they were injured.

The blast happened at the Pyro Design and Development warehouse about 30 miles from South Bend.

"It was a small building to begin with, and it was pretty well destroyed," Thompson said. "The whole sky was filled with smoke up there, so it must have been pretty big explosion."

The warehouse typically has only a handful of employees inside at any time, Thompson said.

The 3,500 square-foot structure was damaged extensively in the blast, a neighbor said.

"It blew off the south end of the building," said James Eikenberry, who arrived home shortly after the explosion. "The other half is probably not going to be salvaged."