TLAXCALA, Mexico - Thousands of workers and some schoolchildren were evacuated on Thursday from an industrial park and surrounding areas after a fire broke out at a Dow plant in the central Mexican state of Tlaxcala, authorities said.
The US-owned group's plant produces materials and products for the agriculture sector. The Mexican army established a five kilometer (3.1 miles) cordon around the plant and the blaze has been practically extinguished by some 100 firefighters, officials said.
Tlaxcala's government secretary Adolfo Escobar said there were no current reports of injuries.
"Initial reports suggest the fire was started by an electrical fault," Escobar said.
Workers from 34 surrounding businesses were evacuated after the fire broke out, as well as children attending nearby schools.
03/18/2005 02:05 GMT