WOOD RIVER – At approximately 2:39 p.m. on Monday, Wood River Fire & Rescue responded to the report of an explosion with injuries at Green Plains, 7874 South 140th Road, Wood River.
Upon arrival, firefighters located a liquid holding tank that had been involved in an explosion, though no fire was present. Firefighters located multiple victims at the scene.
One employee was declared deceased at the facility, and another is currently undergoing treatment at an Omaha hospital and remains in critical condition. Three other on-site contractors were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries and have been released.
The Hall County attorney has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the deceased. The deceased’s identity is being withheld pending identification and notification of next-of-kin.
Work was being conducted on the liquid holding tank at the time of the explosion. The cause of the explosion is considered accidental as a result of that conducted work.
The explosion is not related to the fire that occurred last Friday at the facility.
Responding agencies included Wood River Fire & Rescue, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency. No additional details are available at this time.
