Massive Grain Bin Blast Causes $2M Damage to Plant

Firefighters were sent to the BioUrja ethanol plant in Peoria, IL Wednesday night after a grain bin explosion occurred at the facility. Local news organizations reported that the blast and a fire caused an estimated $2 million in damage to the former Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) facility.

Responding to the plant around 9 p.m., crews observed several large grain bins that were heavily damaged from flames, coverage by CIProud.com said. A fire official told the news organization that three damaged grain bins were leaning during the response, creating an explosion risk.

“Due to the severity of the incident, crews were unable to make entry to fully extinguish the fire,” Peoria Battalion Chief Steve Rada said in a press release quoted by a local ABC News affiliate. “Fire crews are currently monitoring the situation from a distance due to structural issues as well as a high level of CO2 in the atmosphere.”

Two people were taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, an account by The Peoria Journal Star noted.

BioUrja Group has business interests in the commodities and energy sectors.