Inquiry begins into deadly refinery blast

SEATTLE (AP) - Investigators launched an inquiry into a deadly Washington state oil refinery blast as families hoped for the best Saturday for two employees who suffered severe burns over most of their bodies.

It could take months to find out what caused the explosion and fire that killed five employees early Friday morning. Inspectors got permission from structural engineers late Friday night to enter the affected areas of the Tesoro Corp. refinery in Anacortes and begin their investigation, said Hector Castro, a spokesman for the Washington Department of Labor and Industries.

They remained at the scene Saturday, but had no immediate indications about what caused blast - or whether recent safety violations at the plant were contributing factors.

The blast shook houses and woke people miles away at about 12:30 a.m. Friday. Three men died at the scene and two women died later at a Seattle hospital.