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Omaha animal-feed plant explosion sends at least 10 to hospital Omaha animal-feed plant explosion sends at least 10 to hospital
(about 2 hours later)
At least 10 people have been hospitalised and others could be trapped after an explosion and partial building collapse on Monday at an Omaha animal-feed processing plant.At least 10 people have been hospitalised and others could be trapped after an explosion and partial building collapse on Monday at an Omaha animal-feed processing plant.
Interim Omaha fire chief Bernie Kanger said he was not sure how many workers could be trapped in the wreckage of the International Nutrition plant. The fire that followed the explosion, which happened at around 10am local time, has been extinguished but firefighters have cautiously searched the structure, fearing that more debris could rain down. Interim Omaha fire chief Bernie Kanger said crews have stopped rescue efforts and will start a slower recovery effort to retrieve victims. The International Nutrition plant is unstable, so rescuers must work deliberately to ensure their safety, he said.
Kanger said “very extreme conditions" existed inside the plant, and added: "There is significant structural damage inside." Thirty-eight people were inside the building when the explosion occurred Monday morning. Ten were taken to hospitals and four are in critical condition. It's unclear how many people got out without being hurt. The fire that followed the explosion, which happened at around 10am local time, has been extinguished but firefighters have cautiously searched the structure, fearing that more debris could rain down.
Kanger declined to comment on possible fatalities. At the time of the blast there were 38 employees at work. One firefighter was among those injured, Kanger said. The cause of the blast has not yet been determined, but Kanger said there were no hazardous chemicals at the plant. Kanger said “very extreme conditions" existed inside the plant, and added: "There is significant structural damage inside."
Omaha-based International Nutrition declined to comment to the Associated Press. Kanger declined to comment on possible fatalities, though did say that one firefighter was among those injured, Kanger said. Omaha-based International Nutrition declined to comment to the Associated Press.
Plant worker Nate Lewis, 21, said he was on the first floor when he heard the blast. The building went dark, so he used light from his cellphone to make his way across the production floor to safety outside. "I was a production line worker, although I don't know if I want to be that anymore," said Lewis, who's worked at International Nutrition for about four months.
There appears to be structural damage to the top of the building, which sits in an industrial area visible from Interstate 80, a road that bisects Nebraska's largest city. There are no residences nearby and no other buildings were evacuated after the explosion.
Workers' family members who gathered outside the plant said they had received cellphone calls from loved ones inside, who told them one or two people may be missing or trapped. Kanger said he had requested aid from urban search and rescue experts based in Lincoln, so the search could take several more hours.Workers' family members who gathered outside the plant said they had received cellphone calls from loved ones inside, who told them one or two people may be missing or trapped. Kanger said he had requested aid from urban search and rescue experts based in Lincoln, so the search could take several more hours.
There appears to be structural damage to the top of the building, which sits in an industrial area visible from Interstate 80, which bisects Nebraska's largest city. There are no residences nearby and no other buildings were evacuated after the explosion.
Diane Stout said she had heard from her husband, a manager on the plant maintenance crew, but she and her two daughters were anxiously waiting to see him, because he has heart problems. The workers all know each other well, Stout said.Diane Stout said she had heard from her husband, a manager on the plant maintenance crew, but she and her two daughters were anxiously waiting to see him, because he has heart problems. The workers all know each other well, Stout said.
Sarah White said she was at home with her four children when she got a call from her husband, right after the explosion.Sarah White said she was at home with her four children when she got a call from her husband, right after the explosion.
"I could hear the panic in his voice," she said. "But he said he was OK." She said he'd been watching trucks unload from outside the building when the blast occurred.  "I could hear the panic in his voice," she said. "But he said he was OK." She said he'd been watching trucks unload from outside the building when the blast occurred. "That's where he works every day. That could have been him," White said, referring to the injured workers.
"That's where he works every day. That could have been him," White said, referring to the injured workers. Her husband, Jamar White, said he was lucky. Jamar White said he heard a loud crack and then looked up to see the back wall of the building collapsing. "I ran at least 150 feet," White said. "I ran far enough to make sure nothing else would keep falling."
Afterward, White said, he could see inside the third floor of the building where at least two co-workers were screaming for help.