CENTERTOWN, Ky. — An incident at a power plant in Western Kentucky sent three people to the hospital Wednesday.

According to Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Shields, a fly ash door opened at the DB Wilson Power Plant on State Route 85 in Centertown, causing fly ash to be released into the air.

Fly ash is a powdery residue created by coal-fired power plants and a byproduct of burning coal ash.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it can cause respiratory irritation similar to flu-like symptoms when inhaled.

Three people were taken to Owensboro Health for medical treatment with what shields called “minor injuries.”

The ash created a large cloud of smoke around the facility that dramatically limited visibility, causing traffic to be diverted around the area until cleared.

Shields says the fly ash is not harmful to the environment and there is no threat to homes or people driving through the area at this time.

DB Wilson is operated by Owensboro-based big Rivers Electric Corporation.  

This is a developing story. We will add more details when they become available.