Transformer explodes at power plant in Wash. state

CHEHALIS, Wash. (AP) — A blast and fire at a natural-gas fired power plant in Chehalis (shuh-HAY'-lihs), Wash., were caused by a transformer explosion.

PacifiCorp spokeswoman Jan Mitchell in Portland says the damage is limited to a large transformer on the edge of the property. The fire did not involve the plant itself or natural gas.

Mitchell says no one was injured. The plant about 90 miles south of Seattle was not operating at the time of the explosion at 4:15 a.m. Thursday.

KITI reported that flames were visible from nearby Interstate 5 as firefighters from four departments responded.

The 520-megawatt plant opened in 2003 and was bought by PacifiCorp in 2008. …