A STEEL worker was taken to hospital with burns yesterday after a vessel containing molten metal exploded.

Up to six other people were also treated for minor injuries at the Corus steel plant in Lackenby, near Redcar, Teesside.

A spokeswoman for Corus said the incident, at the Basic Oxygen steel-making plant, had not posed any danger to the surrounding area.

The explosion took place at about 9.45am yesterday, and work was halted to allow investigations to begin.

Police and firefighters were called after the vessel exploded.

Corus said the plant was not evacuated and there were no chemical leaks or fires.

The 42-year-old worker was treated for smoke inhalation before he was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, with what were believed to be minor burns. He was later released.

A police spokesman said: "There are no off-site implications and this is not being treated as a major incident."

An ambulance service spokesman said: "Crews also reported around five or six other minor injuries which were treated by Corus medical staff at the scene."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Fire Brigade said three crews attended from Grangetown and Redcar and extinguished a small blaze.

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the steelworkers' union Community, said: "We are relieved that at this stage it appears no one was seriously injured in the explosion.

"We will not comment further until we know the cause of the explosion. However, I have already written to Corus requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the health and safety practices of the company's UK operations."

This follows an inquest verdict of accidental death last Friday over an explosion at Port Talbot steelworks in which three workers died.

The Lackenby plant produces three and a half million tonnes of liquid steel every year.