Meat workers die in blast

Two workers died when an explosion tore through a meat products plant in North Carolina, punching holes in the building's roof and blowing employees off their feet.

The explosion critically burned four people and one worker was still unaccounted for.

More than 40 others were taken to hospitals, including three firefighters who needed medical attention after inhaling ammonia gases.

The blast collapsed an exterior wall, smashing cars parked outside.

Authorities could not say where in the plant the blast happened or what caused it.