US chemical plant blast triggers local lockdown

An explosion at a West Virginia chemical plant on Tuesday night prompted authorities to order residents within 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) of the plant to remain indoors. The explosion occurred at 10:02 p.m. EST (0302GMT) at the Chemours plant in the Kanawha County community of Belle, the county commission said in a statement. Belle is about 10 miles (16 kilometres) southeast of the state capitol, Charleston. Details about the incident, including whether chemicals were involved, and whether anyone was injured weren’t immediately released.