Explosion at Brazil aerosol factory injures 16

SAO PAULO – An explosion in an aerosol factory on the outskirts of Brazil’s largest city injured at least 16 people on Monday, according to firefighters.

Images in local media showed towering flames and thick clouds of black smoke rising Monday morning from the factory in Diadema, about 12 miles (20 kilometres) south of the city centre.

Methane, butane and propane were present at the factory, which was producing aerosol cans, according to Cpl. Cordeiro of the Sao Paulo state fire service. Firefighters had earlier described it as an insecticide factory.

Of the people injured, 13 were firefighters and were being treated for their wounds at local hospitals and at the site of the explosion, Cordeiro said. Three civilians were also injured and were treated at the site and let go.

Nearly 70 firefighters responded to the initial blaze, and more than two dozen were still at the scene Monday evening. The cause of the explosion and fire was unclear, Cordeiro said.