Ohio explosives plant blast turns fatal

COLUMBUS (AP) — A woman has died more than a month after being injured in a blast that ripped through an explosives plant in southeast Ohio.

Marletta Betts, 43, died of complications from burns early Monday at Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, said Franklin County Coroner Jan Gorniak.

Betts had been at the hospital since the July 28 explosion 60 miles away, at Austin Powder Co.’s Red Diamond plant outside McArthur. She was the most seriously injured of 10 plant employees hurt in a building that produces detonating cord used in commercial blasting.

Investigators said the explosion occurred when a line of cord broke. They found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing but had hoped to interview Betts if her condition improved.