Kansas Grain Elevator Blast: 3 Dead, 3 Missing

Oct. 30, 2011— -- Authorities search topday in a rescue mission for three people still missing following a grain elevator explosion that left three people dead this weekend in Kansas.

The blast, which shook the ground for miles and sent a fireball into the air, occurred Saturday night at the Bartlett Grain Co. elevator in Atchison, Kansas.

The missing people are believed to be workers at the elevator.

"The company's concern at this point is caring for those involved and their families," Bartlett Grain president Bill Fellows told The Associated Press.

Dennis McCulloch, spokesman for the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, said two workers were hospitalized.

"We have received two burn patients from Atchison. They are in our burn intensive care unit. And at this point we're not aware of any other patients on the way to us," he said.

Atchison City Manager Trey Cocking said authorities believe the explosion was caused by grain dust, which can ignite.

"I am aware of two of these explosions in the last 15 years," Cocking said.

Cocking said search and rescue teams need to get a better sense of the structure and bring in more equipment.

"The grain elevator's still standing, at least most of it is. The explosion was felt at least four miles away, if not further," he said.

ABC News Radio and The Associated Press contributed to this report.