Elevator Explodes, Rocks Decatur ADM Complex After Massive Explosion Injured 3 Last Year

Decatur ADM elevator blast highlights ongoing safety concerns for employees

ADM plant in Decatur, ILPhoto byScreen Capture/Youtube Video [Creator]

DECATUR, Ill. — An explosion occurred at the Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) processing complex in Decatur early Sunday morning. The incident was triggered by a potential smoldering event discovered at an elevator within the facility at approximately 6:30 a.m., according to an ADM spokesperson. This is the latest in a series of explosions and fires that have occured at the plant, resulting in injures and shut downs over the past several years.

In response to the smoldering event, the complex's surrounding operations were promptly shut down and the entire facility was evacuated. The Decatur Fire Department was called to the scene to manage the situation. However, despite the efforts of the fire department, an hour later, at around 7:30 a.m., the elevator exploded. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the elevator did sustain 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 stated. "We appreciate the quick response and continued support from the Decatur Fire Department."

This explosion is the latest in a series of fire-related incidents at the Decatur ADM complex. Last September, a massive explosion occured at the East Decatur plant, which injured eight workers, with 5 being airlifted to area trauma centers. The explosion severely damaged a number of buildings and firest contined to burn until the next day. The East plant and corn processing plant were both shut down.

In April of the same year three employees were hurt following an a grain elevator exploding at ADM's west plant. In a seperate incident, two weeks before the September explosion, two Decatur firefighters were injured while fighting a three-alarm fire in the corn processing plant at the east plant. Fire department personnel remained at the scene for over 12 hours before the fire was considered to be under control. There was an additional fire in the soybean processing plant in December 2023.

Following the September 2023 explosion, Decatur City Council member, David Horn called for an investigation into the various emergency incidents that had occured at ADM up until that time.

"It will be important for the appropriate agencies to investigate this and prior incidents to ensure the future safety of employees," Horn said.

There is no record of follow through on this request however, and the recent explosion suggests that the plant is still experiencing significant problems that could be dangerous to emplolyees and nearby residents.

The recent blast raises ongoing concerns about safety and operational protocols at the ADM complex. Efforts to gather further details from the Decatur Fire Department are ongoing, with no additional information about potential causes of these events provided at this time.