Chemicals mixed at a plating facility in Fridley set off a small explosion Tuesday that burned three employees and prompted the building's brief evacuation, authorities said.
The "flash explosion" occurred shortly after 11 a.m. at Incertec Plating on 83rd Avenue NE., just west of University Avenue, police said.
The three employees, all men, were splashed with acid. They were rinsed by firefighters at the scene, then taken to a hospital, where they were treated for their injuries and released, the company said.
Fire Chief John Berg said it was not known what caused the chemicals to explode. He identified them as phosphoric and nitric acid.
Minnesota OSHA was notified and will investigate.
Authorities were alerted to the explosion at 11:07 a.m., and after arriving, firefighters went through the plant to ensure it was free of hazardous vapors. The building reopened shortly after 12:30 p.m.
Two of the injured men were taken to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. The third was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center with burns to the face.
Rob Clark, Incertec's director of operations, said about 75 employees were removed from the facility as a precaution.
