Explosion at corn milling plant rocks central Wisconsin town

Rachael Vasquez

Wisconsin Public Radio

One person is dead, around a dozen others are injured, and two are missing following an explosion at a corn milling plant in central Wisconsin.

At a press conference, Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards confirmed an explosion at Didion Milling Plant in Cambria. It was reported around 11 p.m. Wednesday. Richards said 16 people were working at the facility at the time of the explosion, two of whom left uninjured and refused medical care.

The cause of the explosion is unknown at this time.

Richards says those injured were transported via Emergency Management Services and by helicopter. A total of 37 separate agencies responded to the scene.

"This has been very difficult for everybody that’s been there, including the families that sat for hours waiting for some type of information," Richards said.

Riley Didion, president of Didion Milling, also spoke at the press conference:

"This is a pretty close community. Several of our team members are involved in this community," said Didion. "I just ask, on behalf of our company, on behalf of all of our team that’s going through this, for your prayers, for your support, for respect for the families that are going through some tough and challenging times right now."

Glen Williams, village president of the Cambria, told WKOW-TV that the fire was contained by early Thursday morning. There were no evacuations in the area, he said, and there's no threat from chemicals or fumes that he's aware of.

The Cambria-Friesland School District will not be holding classes Thursday. The Sheriff’s Department is instructing the families of victims to gather at the Cambria Highway Shop.

Authorities also announced they'd opened a disaster reception center at the First Presbyterian Church in Cambria where Red Cross staff are on hand. 

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