2 workers in NW Minnesota fall into scalding water

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. — Authorities in northwestern Minnesota say two employees at a sugar plant have suffered serious burns after they fell into scalding hot water.

A KVLY-TV report says the accident happened Saturday about 6 p.m. at the American Crystal Sugar Co. plant in East Grand Forks.

Police say the men fell into water that was nearly boiling. A 21-year-old suffered second- and third-degree burns over his entire body, and a 32-year-old had burns on his hands and feet.

Both were taken to a hospital in Grand Forks. The 21-year-old was airlifted to a burn unit in the Twin Cities. Their conditions were not immediately known.

A message left Monday at the company’s headquarters in Moorhead was not immediately returned.

Police say the water was nearly 200 degrees Fahrenheit.