EL PASO - An early morning furnace explosion killed an employee at the Arcelor Mittal plant, formerly known as Border Steel Company.

The blast happened at 2:40 am.

Employees say they heard a loud explosion and then saw heavy smoke.  After doing a head count, the company discovered one man was missing.

Later, employees found the body of Apolonio Arras, 57, of Anthony, TX.

Federal safety experts are investigating.