Student injured in lab explosion at SIUE

A student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was injured in a small explosion Tuesday in a science lab.

According to university officials, a 23-year-old male student was working in a laboratory in the new science building on the main campus at about 3 p.m. when a beaker containing tetrahydrofuran mixed with potassium exploded.

The student, whose identity was not released by officials, suffered cuts to both of his hands. He was treated by emergency medical personnel and transported to Anderson Hospital in Maryville.

The explosion caused a small fire, which was extinguished by the Edwardsville Fire Department.

University spokesman Doug McIlhagga said the damage to the laboratory was minimal. The building was evacuated, but was expected to reopen later Tuesday and will be available for Wednesday classes, he said.

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Student injured in lab explosion at SIUE."