AUSTIN, Minn. (AP) &045; Five men were injured early Thursday in a series of small explosions at the Hormel Foods Corp. plant here.

Fire Chief Dan Wilson said an explosion was reported around 1 a.m. in the rendering area of the plant, and firefighters extinguished the fire. Hormel Foods employees were inspecting the area for damage when another explosion occurred.

The men, all Hormel employees, suffered burns on the burns on the hands, arms and faces, Wilson said. The men were taken to Austin Medical Center. One was treated and released, one was admitted to St. Olaf Hospital in Austin and three were transferred to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Their conditions were not immediately known.

The cause of the blast was not immediately known, he said. Emergency crews were at the scene throughout the morning.

Most operations at the plant resumed later in the morning. A deputy state fire marshal arrived was on the scene.

Wilson said the fire department has been called to the same area &uot;a couple of times&uot; in the past.