Explosion forces shutdown at ADM plant in Illinois

[January 10, 2013]  PEORIA (AP) -- Archer Daniels Midland shut down operations Wednesday at its corn processing plant in central Illinois after an early morning explosion damaged the facility.

A fire broke out after the explosion in the maintenance area of the Peoria plant at about 3 a.m. Wednesday, ADM spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said. Nobody was hurt, but fire officials say one person was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Firefighters called to ADM's ethanol distillery found an open gas line feeding the fire, Peoria Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Morgan said. He estimated the damage at more than $1 million.

Morgan said the facility appeared to be lightly staffed because of the time of day, one possible reason that no one was injured.

[Associated Press]

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