Here's what we know about an explosion, fire at a Marengo plant

TEAM 8 FORECAST. THANK YOU, CHRIS. RIGHT NOW, MARENGO, ABOUT 90 MILES EAST OF DES MOINES, FIREFIGHTERS ARE STILL BATTLING A MASSIVE BLAZE FOLLOWING THAT CAME AFTER AN EXPLOSION AT A BIOFUELS PLANT. HAPPENED AROUND NOON TODAY. NEW VIDEO FROM OUR SKY DRONE GIVES YOU A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE SCENE. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE FIRE IS STILL BURNING IN SOME PLACES. IN FACT, OUR AMANDA ROOKER OR TELLS US THAT IT JUST SPARKED UP AGAIN. HERE WE GO. HERE’S A LOOK AT THE FIRE FROM THE GROUND. LOOK AT THAT ORANGE FLAMES. THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW AT THIS POINT. ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE ARE IN THE HOSPITAL. ROUGHLY 30 PEOPLE WERE IN THE BUILDING AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION. THANKFULLY, NOBODY WAS KILLED. NEARLY 100 AREA FIREFIGHTERS SHOWED UP TO HELP FIGHT THIS HUGE FIRE. KCCI 8 NEWS AMANDA ROOKER HAS BEEN AT THE SCENE ALL AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING. AND AMANDA, EVEN THOUGH THE FIRE IS SPARKED UP AGAIN, PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR THE PLANT HAVE NOW BEEN GIVEN THE ALL CLEAR TO GO HOME. STEVE PEOPLE WHO LIVE AROUND EIGHT BLOCKS OF THIS PLANT EARLIER TODAY HAD BEEN ASKED TO EVACUATE. POLICE HAVE NOW SAID IT’S SAFE FOR THEM TO RETURN HOME. BUT AS YOU MENTIONED, WE’VE BEEN HERE ALL DAY WATCHING CREWS BATTLE THIS FIRE. JUST AN HOUR AGO, IT SEEMED TO MAYBE BE CALMING DOWN FROM THIS VANTAGE POINT. JUST MINUTES AGO, WE SAW THIS GIANT, THICK, BLACK CLOUD OF SMOKE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, GO, GO, RED AND ORANGE. I’LL STEP OUT SO YOU CAN GET A CLOSER LOOK. WE’RE SEEING THAT FIRE. YOU CAN SEE THIS BRIGHT ORANGE COLOR PIERCING THROUGH THE NIGHT SKY JUST UNDER THAT MASSIVE FIREHOSE THAT’S BEEN PELTING THE BUILDING FOR CLOSE TO 10 HOURS NOW. THIS EXPLOSION HAPPENED AT 1120. AND LOOK, THE BUILDING IS STILL ENGULFED IN FLAMES AS CREWS CONTINUE TO BATTLE IN MARENGO. A LOUD BOOM RANG OUT THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH MARENGO, THOUGH NEARBY NEIGHBORS SAY THEY FELT THE SHAKE OF AN EXPLOSION AT A BIOFUELS PLANT AND WATCHED AS IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. THERE HAS BEEN PIECES FROM THE FIRE THAT HAVE FALLEN ALL THE WAY ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN. AND I MEAN, IT’S JUST BEEN A CRAZY DAY AND FULL OF SIRENS AND NOISES. FIRST RESPONDERS SWARMED THE TOWN, BATTLING THE BLAZE INTO THE NIGHT. FLAMES PIERCED THROUGH THICK SMOKE AND NIGHT SKY AS POWERFUL FIRE HOSES PELTED THE BUILDING FOR HOURS. PEOPLE WITHIN EIGHT BLOCKS OF THE PLANT WERE EVACUATED. OBVIOUSLY, A LOT OF THINGS ARE BEING MONITORED AS WE’RE STILL HERE, INCLUDING AIR QUALITY, CLEAN WATER QUALITY. YOU KNOW WHERE THE RUNOFF IS GOING FROM THE BUILDING AND ANY OTHER CHEMICALS OR HAZARD THAT COULD BE LEAKING OUT OF THE BUILDING STUFF LIKE THAT. SO WE’RE MONITORING ALL THAT. 30 PEOPLE WERE INSIDE THE PLANT WHEN IT EXPLODED. ALL ARE ACCOUNTED FOR, BUT 10 TO 15 PEOPLE ARE BEING TREATED FOR BURNS AND TRAUMA RELATED INJURIES IN IOWA CITY. WE DO KNOW THERE WAS SOME BURN INJURIES. THOSE PEOPLE ARE BEING TREATED FOR THOSE INJURIES. JOE, WHAT’S SEVERITY? I CANNOT TELL YOU. I JUST KNOW THAT EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT OF THE BUILDING IN ONE WAY OR POINT WAS NOT A FATAL. THE EXPLOSION LEAVING A SMALL COMMUNITY SHAKEN. LOOKING AT ALL THE SMOKE RIGHT NOW, IT I MEAN, IT HURTS, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, IT’S A SMALL COMMUNITY AND WE’RE ALL HERE FOR EACH OTHER’S. NOW, IOWA STATE PATROL SAYS THEY DON’T KNOW HOW LONG IT’S GOING TO TAKE TO PUT OUT THIS FIRE. WE CAN SEE RAIN COMING DOWN. NO, BUT THOSE FLAMES ARE STILL RAGING BEHIND ME. ANOTHER THING THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT LED TO THIS EXPLOSION. THE CAUSE OF THAT EXPLOSION IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. I’M LIVE HERE IN MARENGO, AMANDA ROOKER KCC

Multiple patients are being treated at University of Iowa Health Hospitals & Clinics for injuries following an explosion and fire at a Marengo plant, about 80 miles east of Des Moines.The Iowa State Patrol tells KCCI that the explosion happened around 11:20 a.m. on Thursday. Many agencies responded within a 30-50 mile radius. The first priority was to account for the people inside the plant, several of which sustained injuries. A few injuries are burn-related.The state patrol tells KCCI that preliminary findings indicate that approximately 30 people were in the plant. All of those people have been accounted for.UI Hospitals & Clinics said that they are treating 10-15 patients who were at the explosion. They cannot comment on specific conditions, but say the majority are in the minor to moderate category. Most patients are being treated for burns and trauma. Patients' immediate family members can contact the hospital at 319-356-1616.The fire is still burning and crews are using foam and water to put it out. The state Fire Marshal is on site trying to find a cause.Marengo residents in an eight-block radius were evacuated from their homes, but have since been allowed to return.Watch: Sky 8 drone footage of Marengo fire Iowa State Patrol continues to monitor air and water quality."This was a hazmat situation. This is a biofuel plant, from my understanding. With that, we look at what is possibly in there, we try and figure out what chemicals are there. Look at the hazmat guide and say, ‘OK we want to evacuate these people,'" Iowa State Trooper Bob Conrad told KCCI. 11:20 a.m. Authorities receive a call for an explosion and fire at the Marengo plant.12:05 p.m. One business near the fire tells KCCI they are under evacuation.12:30 p.m. The city says on Facebook if residents are evacuated due to the fire, they should go to the Iowa County Transportation Building.12:45 p.m. A staff member with Iowa Valley Community School District said the district is not impacted. So far, they have not evacuated or canceled classes.12:45 p.m. The State Fire Marshal's Office said they have not responded but are aware of the fire.12:50 p.m. Staff at the Iowa County Transportation Building says they don't have any evacuated residents there yet. They are on standby to pick people up if needed.1:15 p.m.KCCI's Beau Bowman has arrived on scene in Marengo. While keeping a safe distance from the investigation, KCCI is working to confirm new information about the explosion and whether anyone is hurt.1:20 p.m. University of Iowa Health Hospitals & Clinics says it has received multiple patients following the explosion. Staff members say they anticipate others may be en route. At this time, UIHC says doctors are evaluating the severity of injuries and working to ensure all patients receive the care they require.1:40 p.m. KCCI confirms the burning building is owned by Heartland Crush LLC, according to the Iowa County assessor.1:45 p.m. Iowa Valley Community School District tells KCCI students and staff members in Marengo are advised to not go outdoors because of air quality concerns. There are currently no changes to student pickup or activities after school.3:50 p.m. UIHC confirms 10-15 patients are being cared for that were at the explosion. Most patients are being treated for burns and trauma. Most patients are in minor to moderate condition.8:26 p.m. Residents in an eight-block radius who had evacuated are allowed to return home.4 a.m. Friday - Firefighters have the fire out and under control. Previous coverage: Here's what we know about an explosion, fire at a Marengo soybean processing facilityWatch: Drone footage shows crews responding to fire in Marengo

MARENGO, Iowa —

Multiple patients are being treated at University of Iowa Health Hospitals & Clinics for injuries following an explosion and fire at a Marengo plant, about 80 miles east of Des Moines.

The Iowa State Patrol tells KCCI that the explosion happened around 11:20 a.m. on Thursday. Many agencies responded within a 30-50 mile radius. The first priority was to account for the people inside the plant, several of which sustained injuries. A few injuries are burn-related.

The state patrol tells KCCI that preliminary findings indicate that approximately 30 people were in the plant. All of those people have been accounted for.

UI Hospitals & Clinics said that they are treating 10-15 patients who were at the explosion. They cannot comment on specific conditions, but say the majority are in the minor to moderate category. Most patients are being treated for burns and trauma. Patients' immediate family members can contact the hospital at 319-356-1616.

The fire is still burning and crews are using foam and water to put it out. The state Fire Marshal is on site trying to find a cause.

Marengo residents in an eight-block radius were evacuated from their homes, but have since been allowed to return.

Watch: Sky 8 drone footage of Marengo fire

Iowa State Patrol continues to monitor air and water quality.

"This was a hazmat situation. This is a biofuel plant, from my understanding. With that, we look at what is possibly in there, we try and figure out what chemicals are there. Look at the hazmat guide and say, ‘OK we want to evacuate these people,'" Iowa State Trooper Bob Conrad told KCCI.

11:20 a.m. Authorities receive a call for an explosion and fire at the Marengo plant.

12:05 p.m. One business near the fire tells KCCI they are under evacuation.

12:30 p.m. The city says on Facebook if residents are evacuated due to the fire, they should go to the Iowa County Transportation Building.

12:45 p.m. A staff member with Iowa Valley Community School District said the district is not impacted. So far, they have not evacuated or canceled classes.

12:45 p.m. The State Fire Marshal's Office said they have not responded but are aware of the fire.

12:50 p.m. Staff at the Iowa County Transportation Building says they don't have any evacuated residents there yet. They are on standby to pick people up if needed.

1:15 p.m.KCCI's Beau Bowman has arrived on scene in Marengo. While keeping a safe distance from the investigation, KCCI is working to confirm new information about the explosion and whether anyone is hurt.

1:20 p.m. University of Iowa Health Hospitals & Clinics says it has received multiple patients following the explosion. Staff members say they anticipate others may be en route. At this time, UIHC says doctors are evaluating the severity of injuries and working to ensure all patients receive the care they require.

1:40 p.m. KCCI confirms the burning building is owned by Heartland Crush LLC, according to the Iowa County assessor.

1:45 p.m. Iowa Valley Community School District tells KCCI students and staff members in Marengo are advised to not go outdoors because of air quality concerns. There are currently no changes to student pickup or activities after school.

3:50 p.m. UIHC confirms 10-15 patients are being cared for that were at the explosion. Most patients are being treated for burns and trauma. Most patients are in minor to moderate condition.

8:26 p.m. Residents in an eight-block radius who had evacuated are allowed to return home.

4 a.m. Friday - Firefighters have the fire out and under control.

Previous coverage: Here's what we know about an explosion, fire at a Marengo soybean processing facility

Watch: Drone footage shows crews responding to fire in Marengo

Here's what we know about an explosion, fire at a Marengo plant

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