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All employees accounted for, 7 hospitalized after Florida explosion

TAVARES, Fla. — A series of major explosions at a Florida gas plant has injured several workers.

The first explosion happened just before midnight Monday at Blue Rhino, a propane-tank business in Tavares, 40 miles northwest of Orlando.

As of 2 a.m., officials said all 24 night-shift workers inside the plant were accounted for. A total of eight people were injured, three of which critically. Initially, 15 workers were missing and feared dead, but they were later found safe.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office said the plant usually has 53,000 20-pound propane tanks.

The fire has been contained. No word yet on what caused the explosions.

Callers told WFTV, a sister station to Channel 2 Action News, that houses shook, and there have been constant, large explosions.

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