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BOONEVILLE, Ark.—Cargill worked Tuesday to put together an assistance package for the 800 employees who were left without work when the company’s meat-packing plant was all but destroyed in a weekend explosion. The fire and series of explosions Sunday leveled most of the Cargill Meat Solutions plant, though the freezer section apparently did not have heavy damage. The plant in Booneville, population 4,000, was the largest employer in Logan County.

Cargill spokesman Mark Klein said Tuesday the company had not been able to evaluate the plant because the site was still smoldering.

Officials said workers welding some fans Sunday noticed a fire after putting away their equipment. The fire grew, and a series of small explosions rocked the 150,000-square-foot plant.