ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – NBC Action News Reporter Lindsay Shively reports a small fire is still burning inside a hydrogen tank outside a St. Joseph soy bean plant, but there is no danger of a second explosion.
Police described the initial explosion that rocked AG Processing, 900 SW Lower Lake Rd., Friday morning as 'massive.'
Police and fire crews say the explosion happened near an external liquid hydrogen holding tank outside the building around 3:20 a.m. Witnesses say they could hear and feel the blast from as many as eight miles away.
The plant had been shut down for routine maintenance and was in the early stages of start-up at the time of the incident, according to a statement from the company. Damage was contained to the hydrogen plant storage area.
"AGP safety and engineering team personnel are working with the local authorities to identify the cause of the incident," said Mike Maranell, Senior Vice President, Corporate and Member Relations. "Soy processing and refining operations are expected to resume later today. We thank the St. Joseph fire and rescue team for their quick response."
Officials say 25 to 30 people were inside the plant when the tank exploded, but nobody was injured. As many as 10 were said to be in colse proximity to the blast.
Lindsay Shively is in St. Joseph and will bring you more information throughout the morning on NBC Action News and NBCActionNews.com.
