(Updates with workers reported missing, details)

 
   DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

A portion of a roof at a 50,000-square-foot ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG) plant in Garner, N.C. has collapsed, and three workers were reported missing, CNN reported Tuesday.

"They've had a major explosion," a local WRAL reporter said. There is a partial collapse of the roof at the front, middle and back of the facility creating a HazMat situation, CNN said. The cause of the explosion was undetermined, and the incident was "not totally contained," according to a police spokesman cited by CNN.

At least 20 people were sent to area hospitals. One employee cited by CNN said a number of his co-workers sustained burns.

The plant, located near Raleigh, N.C., is the only place in the country that makes the beef jerky Slim Jim snack food, according to local media.

Full story at www.CNN.com

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6855848

-Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5500