DECATUR, IL – A blast and ensuing fire at an Archer Daniel Midland Co. plant in Decatur, Illinois, led to several injuries on Sunday evening, as per local officials. The explosion took place in the company’s East Plant, a part of ADM’s processing complex, at approximately 7:11 p.m. CDT. The total number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.
Residents reported a thick plume of smoke emanating from the city’s northeast side, a sight corroborated by WCIA-TV’s weather cameras. ADM spokesperson, Dane Lisser, confirmed the company’s communication with the Decatur Fire Department in the aftermath of the incident.
Lisser also revealed that a number of employees were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention, although he did not disclose the extent of their injuries. He conveyed the company’s concern for its workforce while also mentioning that the cause of the explosion remained unknown.
This incident marks the third time this year that the ADM facility has been rocked by fires or explosions. Earlier in April, an explosion at the West Plant injured three employees. Then, in August, a major fire at the East Plant resulted in injuries to two firefighters. The fire required a massive effort from 46 firefighters and took 13 hours to be fully extinguished.