US-EXPLOSION-FIRE-PHARMACEUTICAL

The West Pharmaceutical Company in Kinston, North Carolina burns after an explosion 29 January, 2003. Eight people were killed and 16 injured in the explosion 480kms (300 miles) south of Washington, local television reports said. Authorities would not immediately confirm the toll from the violent blast, which caused fires in the factory and nearby woods and blew out windows in structures within an 800-meter (874-yard) diameter. No immediate cause was given for the explosion. AFP PHOTO/JOHN ALTHOUSE