ECORSE, Mich. (AP) — An explosion Sunday at a steel plantnear Detroit killed one worker and
injured two others, United StatesSteel Corp. said. Operations were halted at the plant while aninvestigation
began.The accident happened overnight at U.S. SteelGreat Lakes Works in Ecorse, said company spokeswoman
Courtney Boone.The plant is about 10 miles south-southwest of downtown Detroit andprimarily supplies the
auto industry."There was an explosion atthe facility’s steel shop," Boone said in a statement. She
said theblast killed a remote control locomotive operator, whom she identifiedas Antonino Palazzolo, 32.He
worked for U.S. Steel for about two years and lived in the Detroit suburb of Rockwood."The company
expresses their sincerest condolences to the Palazzolo family," Boone said.Accordingto police, the
accident happened about 2:30 a.m. when a ladle handlingmolten steel overturned, causing a blast and fire,
the Detroit FreePress reported.Two workers sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment, Boone
said.Accordingto the company’s website, Great Lakes Works has an annual capacity ofabout 3.8 million tons.
It’s along the Detroit River straddling thecommunities of Ecorse and River Rouge. Its products include
hot-rolled,cold-rolled and coated sheet steels whose main users are automakers.___Online:Great Lakes Works:
http://bit.ly/1hcFq7i