Story Published:
Nov 6, 2009 at 5:19 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Nov 6, 2009 at 5:19 PM CDT
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - An explosion at the Ag Processing plant
rocked parts of St. Joseph but employees at the plant escaped
injury.
St. Joseph Police Capt. Matt Rock says an external hydrogen
holding tank exploded about 3 a.m. Friday when 25 to 30 employees
were at the plant but no one was injured. St. Joseph Fire Department Chief Mike Dalsing says employees escaped injury because the explosion was outside the plant and the hydrogen gas rose into the air instead of outward.
The tank that exploded was one of six in a hydrogen storage
tanks. Fires erupted throughout the tank holding area but employees
and firefighters used nitrogen to purge all six tanks before more
explosions occurred. Dalsing says most of St. Joseph felt the explosion, and debris was scattered up to 180 feet.
The cause of the explosion and a damage estimate were not
immediately available.
