Kinston Factory Explosion

Dense black smoke rises as firefighters battle a fire at a West Pharmaceutical plant that followed an explosion and fire Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, in Kinston, N.C. At least three people were killed, and others were feared trapped in the burning ruins.

The north side of the West Pharaceutical plant is seen following an explosion and fire that killed at least three people.

Rescue personnel search the back of the plant after the explosion in Kinston. In addition to the fatalities, a least 37 people were hurt.

Firefighters battle the huge fire that followed the explosion at the West Pharmaceutical plant.

Flames and dense black smoke rise from the fire. The plant had been cited for numerous safety violations last fall.

The fire that followed the explosion sent black, acrid smoke billowing over the Carolina countryside.

Here, a portion of the West Pharmaceutical plastics factory is shown burning following the explosion.

A firefighter walks past burning debris after the explosion.

Firefighters battle the blaze. About 130 people were at the plant when it exploded at 1:27 p.m. Wednesday. Authorities believed that all were accounted for Wednesday night, but cautioned they couldn't be sure.

Firefighters watch over the damage outside the plant late Wednesday. Greg Smith, operations chief of the Kinston Public Safety Department, said the blast occurred in a four-story area of the factory where chemicals are mixed.

At the Immanuel Baptist Church, Red Cross workers counsel family members of workers who were injured or missing after the explosion.

Earline White, who works the third shift at a West Pharmeceutical plant in Kinston, N.C., hugs a coworker while waiting for word of other employees Wednesday.

Employees of West Pharmaceuticals look at the damage to the building where they worked.

A firefighter on a ladder battles the fire that left the West Pharmaceutical plant in ruins Wednesday.

Firemen carry a stretcher toward the West Pharmaceutical plant late Wednesday.

A firefighter continues to spray water on the West Pharmaceutical factory at first light in Kinston, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003.

Chief Executive Officer of West Pharmaceutical Services, Don Morel, talks to reporters outside the plant Thursday. Investigators turned to eyewitnesses for clues to the cause of an explosion and raging fire at the plastics factory that killed at least three people and injured 37 others, 10 critically.

Firefighters and workers use a small 4-wheel-drive vehicle to get close to the West Pharmaceutical plant Thursday.

Firefighters walk past a still smoldering structure at the plant Thursday.

Firefighters walk a tent into place in front of the factory in a steady rain in Kinston, N.C., Thursday.