Explosion rips through Illinois ADM plant, injuring several employees

Multiple people were injured Sunday after an explosion rocked a food processing plant in Illinois.

The eruption occurred around 7:15 p.m. inside ADM’s complex in Decatur, a city with a population of roughly 70,000, the company said in a statement.

The blast caused significant damage throughout the complex’s East Plant, images show.

Heavy smoke was seen billowing from the grounds as city fire officials battled the subsequent fire.

“Several” employees were rushed to a local hospital for treatment, the company said.

The exact number of the wounded and their conditions were not immediately known.

The explosion was enough to shake nearby homes, neighbors told WAND.

The plant was evacuated, but the Decatur Fire Department said no private homes needed to be cleared.

Multiple agencies are monitoring the situation and expect to release new information as the investigation continues.

“My team and I are in touch with local officials as we closely monitor the situation at ADM this evening,” Rep. Nikki Budzinski (R-IL) said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The blaze is the third fire at ADM this year, and comes less than 12 weeks after firefighters extinguished a “very labor-intensive” inferno at the same plant.

Two responding smoke eaters were rushed to the hospital from injuries sustained during that firefight but were later released in good condition.

In April, three employees were injured in a separate explosion at ADM’s west plant.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.