Two people have been confirmed dead, said Middletown, Connecticut, police Sgt. Chuck Jacobucci, but authorities expect the number to rise since they are still searching for people.
More than 100 emergency service units, including fire, police and emergency management, were responding, he said.
Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, about 15 miles from Hartford, Connecticut, said it was receiving patients from the blast, which occurred about 11:30 a.m. at the Kleen Power Plant.
CNN affiliate WTNH-TV cited reports that houses near the plant had been damaged by the blast. The station reported the explosion was felt in towns as far as 15 miles from Middletown.
The plant's general manager, Gordon Holk, confirmed the blast caused casualties, but wasn't sure how many. Fire and police officials in Middletown said there were "mass casualties," but no other details were immediately available.
The site is a 620-megawatt gas-fired power plant, according to Holk.
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