Illinois Explosion Leaves Several Injured After Blast Rips Through ADM Plant

Firefighters battle blaze in Chicago — CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: A firefighter battles a warehouse fire in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois November 14, 2003. The fire, which involved at least four buildings and required over 200 firefighters to fight, was one of the largest in the city in a decade. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Eight workers were hurt, and a massive plume of smoke was thrown into the air by an explosion and fire over the weekend at a soybean processing business in Decatur, Illinois.

The incident happened on Sunday just after 7 o'clock at the east plant of the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) processing complex.

Explosion and Fire Injure Eight at Illinois ADM Plant

ADM, an agricultural business headquartered in Chicago, released a statement confirming the explosion.

According to Battalion Chief Wade Watson of the Decatur Fire Department, of the eight injured workers, six were taken by ambulance away from the scene, and it is presently unknown how serious their wounds were.

The company said five workers were still treated for their wounds at hospitals as of early Monday afternoon. Per USA Today, the employer reaffirmed its commitment to helping the affected employees and their families.

White flakes for the synthesis of soybean protein and soybean oil are the factory's main products where the explosion occurred, according to Fox News.

ADM Plant Explosion Prompts Temporary Shutdown, Investigation Ongoing

ADM's nearby maize processing plant has also temporarily stopped operations as a precaution and is currently idle.

"The main fire was extinguished overnight," ADM said. "We are continuing to closely monitor and assess the extent of the damage to the complex as we investigate the cause of the incident."

The Decatur Fire Department has remained on the scene to watch for any hot spots, and there are still ongoing inquiries into what caused the explosion and fire. In less than a month, two incidents have occurred at the ADM plant. Two Decatur firemen needed medical care on August 28 after putting out a major fire at the building.

During the incident, crews had to deal with a significant fire in a processing tank engulfing nearby tanks, as per Daily Mail. Further evaluations and investigations will concentrate on the plant's operating and safety status as authorities try to identify what caused these recent events.