1 dead, 4 injured in furnace blast at German factory

BERLIN—Police say one person has been killed and another four seriously injured after a furnace apparently exploded in a factory in eastern Germany.

Authorities told the dpa news agency Monday that some 30 people were at work at the time of the evening explosion at the chemical plant in Pirna, near Dresden.

More than 100 emergency personnel responded to help put out the fire and rescue the employees.

All houses within 100 metres (109 yards) of the factory were evacuated and others in the area were told to keep their doors and windows closed.

The cause of the explosion was under investigation.