Explosions rock Blue Rhino gas plant in Orlando; seven injured

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ORLANDO, Fla. (CNN) -- Explosions and fire rocked a Blue Rhino propane tank refilling plant in central Florida Monday night, injuring seven people and forcing evacuations,  said Lt. John Harrell, a spokesman for the Lake County Sheriff's office.

A large series of explosions has rocked a gas plant in Lake County, Fla., authorities said. (Photo by Ben Newton/Orlando Sentinel)

Harrell told the Orlando Sentinel that 15 workers were unaccounted-for at 1 a.m., but later revised it to say they had been found.

Up to 26 employees escaped as the fire began, Blue Rhino management told authorities.

Seven people were taken to regional hospitals, he said. All of the injured were workers at the Blue Rhino plant. There were no reported injuries in the surrounding areas.

An evacuation area of half a mile has been extended around the plant. The nearest homes are about three-quarters of a mile away, according to Harrell.

Video provided by CNN affiliate WESH showed a massive fire, with multiple explosions of propane tanks within the flames.

There were 53,000, 20-pound cylinders of propane at the facility at the time of the fire, Harrell said.

"It sounds like bombs are going off," Norma Haygood told WESH.

Fire crews could be seen pouring water onto the facility.

The cause of the explosions and fire was not immediately known.

The Blue Rhino facility refills propane tanks used in gas grills. The company's tank exchange service allows customers to trade in an empty tank for a full one at retail locations.