Sources inside Plant Bowen confirm that a turbine was being 'purged' with hydrogen gas when an the explosion occurred late Thursday afternoon.  What caused the hydrogen gas to ignite is currently unknown.

Georgia Power reports there are no serious injuries, but one minor injury from the explosion.  Crews were attempting to do maintenance work on 'coal unit 2' when the explosion took place.

A source from within Plant Bowen says the explosion took place on the south side of the facility and destroyed virtually the entire wall behind unit 1, unit 2 and unit 3.

Two mechanics that were in the area have been accounted for, and there have been no confirmed reports of injuries or death.

The Bartow County Sheriff's Department issued a statement immediately after the explosion asking all residents to avoid the area as security is not allowing unauthorized personnel near the facility. Covered Bridge Road/Plant Bowen and area roads were closed.

UPDATE:

One person was trapped for a brief amount of time in an elevator and was rescued and treated for minor injuries on the scene.

According to Ginger Tyra, a spokeswoman with Cartersville Medical Center, one 60-year-old man was taken from the site via ambulance around 5:45 p.m. complaining of a leg injury.

Two other people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The plant’s four units remained offline Thursday night, but the incident will not interrupt service to customers, according to a news release from Georgia Power.