One injured in biodiesel plant explosion near Hayti

HAYTI, Mo. -- A 56-year-old Steele, Mo., man was injured Friday following an explosion at the Natural Biodiesel Plant.

According to the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, at about 8:15 a.m., the Hayti, Mo., Fire Department was dispatched to the Natural Biodiesel Plant on Route J in rural Pemiscot County after a 911 caller said there had been an explosion and one person was injured. The caller also said a small fire had been contained and the injured person, later identified as Bill Farley, was being transported by personal vehicle to Pemiscot Memorial Hospital at Hayti.

Lt. Ryan Holder arrived on the scene a few minutes later and was directed to the rear of the plant area.

"In speaking with employee's, I learned Bill Farley, co-owner at the biodiesel plant, was dumping resin into what the employee's refer to as 'Tower One,'" Holder said in a written statement. "Approximately 15 buckets had been poured into Tower One and that was when the explosion occurred."

According to Holder, another employee said that he was on the catwalk with Farley at the time, and was taking the empty buckets and throwing them down to another employee. The employee said that after the explosion, Farley fell on top of him, causing minor burns to his back.

Holder said the Hayti Fire Department made sure there weren't any other fire dangers and used its equipment to remove smoke from the plant.

Because there was an explosion at a commercial business and an injury to an employee, Holder said, he contacted the Missouri fire marshal's office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Holder said he later met with Butch Amann, investigator with the fire marshal's office, and assisted him with interviews of employees at the plant who were there at the time of the explosion.

"At this time, it is undetermined what caused the explosion but [it is being] ruled as an accident," Holder said.

Pertinent address:

Hayti, Mo.