Explosion, Fire Reported at Hemp Processing Plant

Emergency personnel responded to the GenCanna hemp processing plant in Winchester, KY on Thursday night after an explosion occurred at the facility, local news organizations reported. 

Departing for the Colby Road facility at about 8:15 a.m., firefighters arrived at the scene to find a sizeable fire in the structure. Clark County Fire Chief Ernie Barnes told television news station WKDY that the explosion and fire started in an area of the plant that appears to be a laboratory. GenCanna said the incident occurred in the G1 building of its Hemp Research Campus. 

The part of the plant where the fire broke out is used for CBD oil extraction, according to coverage by NBC News affiliate LEX 18, and some chemicals were present. Flames caused heavy structural damage to the section of the facility, officials told local media.  

“Well, you know all fires are dangerous. They do use some different chemicals in their refining process, so that makes it a little extra cautious and then just due to the structural damage, we just have to make sure it’s safe for our crews to work in,” Barnes said in a report by news station WYMT. 

No injuries were logged during the incident. The cause of the fire and explosion is being investigated.  

GenCanna produces a variety of CBD products from hemp, including full-spectrum extracts, water soluble products, isolate, pet products, capsules, oil drops, skin care products, and fruit chews, the firm’s website states. The company also offers private label manufacturing services. 

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