News In Brief

Nuclear experts probe A-plant leak and fire

Investigators for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission began an inquiry Tuesday into how liquid hydrogen leaked in a nonnuclear portion of the Rancho Seco nuclear power plant, setting off an explosion and fire. There were no injuries or radiation leaks caused by the fire Monday night, they said.

The reactor, a twin to the Three Mile Island facility in Middletown, Pa., was shut down immediately after the incident.''Very, very tentatively, it will be off-line for at least a month,'' Ron Scott, spokesman for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, said.