Elevator explodes at Decatur ADM complex

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — An explosion occurred at Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)’s processing complex in Decatur on Sunday morning.

A spokesperson from ADM said a “potential smoldering event” was found at an elevator in the building around 6:30 a.m. Upon investigation, surrounding operations were shut down and the complex was evacuated. The Decatur Fire Department was called to the scene.

The elevator exploded an hour later at 7:30 a.m. The spokesperson said no one was hurt in the incident. However, the elevator did withstand some structural damage.

“We are currently monitoring the situation with support from the Decatur Fire Department, assessing the damage, and investigating the cause,” the ADM spokesperson said. “We appreciate the quick response and continued support from the Decatur Fire Department.”

The explosion is now the latest in an ongoing lineup of fire-related issues at the Decatur location. Among the most recent incidents are an explosion at ADM’s East plant that left eight workers hurt in September 2023, a fire in the corn processing plant the month before, a small fire in the soybean processing plant that December, and a grain elevator explosion that burned three employees in April 2023.

WCIA has reached out to the Decatur Fire Department for any further details. No response has been provided as of yet.

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