In a shocking incident that unfolded over the weekend, an explosion and subsequent fire at an Illinois soybean processing facility resulted in injuries of eight employees. The event sent a towering plume of smoke into the air, painting a grim picture of the industrial accident.
The explosion took place at the Archer Daniels Midland processing complex’s east plant, located in Decatur, approximately 150 miles southwest of Chicago.
The agricultural company confirmed the incident in a statement on its website. The blast occurred shortly after 7 pm on Sunday, causing significant damage and disruption.
Massive explosion at ADM Decatur, Illinois. As of 8pm the fire is burning on several levels of the corn plant and unfortunately there are several trauma victims. pic.twitter.com/ppU39uQULZ
— Shaun Tyson (@ShaunPTyson) September 11, 2023
Six out of the eight injured workers were rushed from the scene by ambulance. However, the extent of their injuries remains unknown, according to Battalion Chief Wade Watson of the Decatur Fire Department.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety measures in place at such industrial facilities.
ADM, in a statement released early Monday afternoon, revealed that five employees were still hospitalized, receiving treatment for their injuries.
The company emphasized their priority was providing support to their injured colleagues and their families. This incident underscores the inherent risks faced by workers in such industries and the need for stringent safety protocols.
The explosion was followed by a large plume of dark smoke rising high above the facility, as captured in a video posted by WCIA-TV.
The plant where the explosion occurred is known for producing soybean oil and white flake for soybean protein production. Currently, the plant is idle and ADM’s adjacent corn processing plant is also temporarily shut down until safe operations can be resumed.
Multiple people were injured Sunday after an explosion at ADM plant in Decatur, Illinois #afrohouse217
– pic.twitter.com/NSAxvSSjLu— AFRO HOUSE SPRINGFIELD (@afrohouse217) September 11, 2023
The main fire was extinguished overnight, and the company is closely monitoring and assessing the extent of the damage to the complex.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. This unfortunate event has highlighted the need for rigorous safety checks and preventive measures in such high-risk environments.
Alarmingly, this explosion is the second incident at the plant in less than a month. The Decatur Herald & Review reported that on August 28, two Decatur firefighters required hospital treatment after battling a large fire at the plant.
In that instance, crews found heavy fire in a processing tank that was spreading into adjacent tanks.
This series of incidents raises serious questions about the safety standards and protocols in place at the Archer Daniels Midland processing complex.
It is crucial for the company and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into these incidents and take necessary measures to prevent such accidents in the future.
