Official Says Combustible Dust Involved in Ethanol Plant Explosion

Officials have confirmed that combustible dust was involved in an explosion at the Green Plains ethanol plant near Mt. Vernon, IN Thursday morning, according to several local news organizations.

Crews were called to the West Franklin Road facility at about 8:30 a.m., said television news station WEVV. The explosion reportedly happened in a grain bin at the site, according to broadcaster WFIE. An account by TriStateHomepage.com noted that no injuries were logged during the response.

Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham told TriStateHomepage.com that dust combusted in an elevator shaft at the site. Although some initial reports said a fire also broke out, the sheriff said no flames ignited during the incident.

“The process safety devices kept the employees and facilities from any significant harm or damage,” Green Plains said in a statement to the news website.

An investigation into the explosion is ongoing.