Three people were seriously injured in an explosion and fire at Intel's facility in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, on Wednesday, with emergency crews investigating the possible involvement of hazardous materials.

Axar.az reports, citing Ynet Global, that Israel Fire and Rescue Services said it received a report at 2:12 p.m. of thick black smoke and an explosion at the plant on Avatz Boulevard.

Eight firefighting and rescue teams, including specialized hazardous materials units, were deployed to search for trapped workers, contain the blaze and monitor for potentially dangerous substances.

Southern District police said the fire may have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion and that investigators were examining a possible hazardous materials leak. Officers were securing the site, conducting searches and directing traffic while emergency crews continued their work.