An investigation team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has been deployed today to the site of an explosion, fire and roof collapse at the ConAgra Foods plant in Garner, N.C.

According to media reports, at least 20 people have been transported to area hospitals and at least two were reported as unaccounted for following the explosion which occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m. today. The explosion caused the roof to collapse on one side of the building, knocked down walls, and blew debris about the area.

The CSB team will be headed by Don Holmstrom, an investigations supervisor. A board member, William Wark, will accompany the team. Based in Washington, D.C., the CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents.