Firefighters find evidence of explosion after York ethanol plant fire, no injuries reported

YORK, Neb. (KOLN) - Firefighters found evidence consistent with an explosion after a Sunday morning fire at the Green Plains ethanol plant, the York Fire Department said. No injuries were reported.

York firefighters, with mutual aid from the Waco Volunteer Fire Department, were dispatched around 11:35 a.m. Five personnel on Engine 620 found smoke coming from a baghouse in the plant’s grain-handling system.

Crews used the facility’s water system and defensive operations to contain the fire. Ladder 640 deployed an elevated master stream to cool secondary areas, then firefighters advanced handlines across ladders and walkways to extinguish the bagger equipment and corn products.

Examining the grain leg’s boot pit, firefighters observed extensive damage to the lower portion and evidence consistent with an explosion that traveled upward through the tubing. Burning debris reached the bagger system, igniting a secondary fire in the baghouse, the department said.

The department said facility data indicated a sudden temperature increase from 70.9 degrees at 10:30 a.m. to the system’s maximum limit. The automatic shutdown system reportedly did not activate, requiring plant personnel to manually stop operations.

Green Plains personnel isolated the affected systems and shut off power to the equipment. An official cause has not been determined at this time.

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