Explosion reported at NH ball bearing plant

Explosion with injuries reported at New Hampshire ball bearing plant; emergency center opens

PETERBOROUGH, N.H. (AP) -- An explosion resulting in several injuries has been reported at a ball bearing plant in a southwestern New Hampshire town.

Peterborough Assistant Town Administrator Nicole MacStay says there are reports of eight to 10 injured people in the Monday afternoon explosion at the New Hampshire Ball Bearings Inc. plant. She says emergency crews from multiple communities have been called and a decontamination site has been set up.

The company manufactures high-tech parts for the aerospace industry.

Gov. Maggie Hassan (HAHS'-uhn) says the state emergency operations center is opening. Television station WMUR reports (http://bit.ly/1bGa1WE) police are advising drivers to avoid Route 202 through Peterborough.

Local hospitals have been asked to prepare for patients who may have been exposed to hazardous materials. Keene Fire Department's hazardous-materials team is responding to the scene.