Date: September 10, 2023
Location: Decatur, Illinois (USA)
Address: 4666 East Faries Parkway, 62526
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Archer Daniels Midland
Database Incidents: This facility was referenced in dust explosion incidents in November 2018, January 2019, and April 2023 and dust fires in May 2019 and October 2019.
Loss: Eight Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Archer Daniels Midland Company was founded in 1902 as a linseed crushing business. Today it is one of the world’s largest agricultural processors, with approximately 31,000 employees and customers in more than 170 countries. Its holdings include approximately 500 crop procurement locations, 270 food and feed ingredient manufacturing facilities, and 44 innovation centers.
Incident Description:
On September 10, 2023, NBC Chicago reported an explosion at a grain processing plant in Decatur, Illinois.
The explosion occurred at the East Plant at 7:11 p.m. Nearby residents reported feeling the impact. One man said that it rattled his house. When he stepped outside, he saw smoke filling the skyline.
The company promptly contacted the Decatur Fire Department. Upon their arrival, firefighters found numerous injured workers and considerable damage to several buildings. Debris was scattered over a wide area, with fires raging in a 10-story building.
Eight employees suffered injuries and were taken to local hospitals. Six were transported from the scene by ambulance. Five of them remained hospitalized. One suffered second- and third-degree burns and was later transported to a trauma burn unit. A GoFundMe page was created to assist the family with expenses.
The fire is under control, but the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire is still being investigated.
Previous Incidents
This facility experienced a dust explosion on November 3, 2018, covered in Firefighters Called to Dust Explosion at Decatur Food Processing Plant. On January 4, 2019, another dust explosion occurred, this one covered in No Injuries Reported in Dust Explosion at Illinois Grain Processor. A third took place on April 21, 2023, covered in Explosion at Decatur Grain Processing Plant Injures Three Workers.
On May 9, 2019, the facility experienced a dust fire, covered in Hot Work on Drying Equipment Causes Fire at Corn Processing Facility. On October 20, 2019, a dust fire occurred, covered in Accumulated Corn Waste May Have Ignited Dust Fire At Processing Plant.
OSHA Inspections
An establishment search turned up eight OSHA inspections for this location, one of which was flagged for combustible dust.
Sources:
NBC Chicago
Herald Review
