An explosion at an Archer Daniels Midland facility in Illinois on Sunday left eight workers with serious injuries, officials say.
The explosion occurred at around 7:11 p.m., according to ABC 7 Chicago. A company spokesperson reportedly explained to CNN that employees were sent to the hospital, but could not comment on the severity of the injured people nor the cause of the dangerous incident.
ADM plant explosion/fire caught on our weather camera in Decatur, IL. pic.twitter.com/Q2cifRRlnp
— Kevin Lighty – WCIA 3 Chief Meteorologist (@KevinLighty) September 11, 2023
Decatur Fire Department Battalion Chief Wade Watson said six of the eight workers were immediately taken to the hospital for medical treatment, according to The Associated Press (AP). While the cause of the explosion is still under investigation, Watson reportedly confirmed the fire department had everything under control. The explosion, which caused a fire, sent a large black plume of smoke into the air above the facility, per a video shared by ABC 7 Chicago.
The Decatur site is ADM’s largest facility globally. It is home to a soybean crushing plant and one of the world’s largest corn wet mills in the world, according to Reuters.
Additionally, the facility has the capacity to produce 375 million gallons of ethanol biofuel every year, the most in the United States, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. (RELATED: Engine Fire Prompts Evacuation Of Passengers From Flight, Nine Injured)
“Our hearts are with the families of those affected by the explosion in Decatur last night,” Governor JB Pritzker in a statement. “My administration is in touch with those at ADM and have offered state support in any way we can.”
Further information regarding the incident is yet to be disclosed to the public.