New Albany Bio-diesel Facility Fireball Explosion

[kellyhound]

Emergency officials in New Albany says there has been another explosion at a bio-diesel facility.

The latest explosion happened around 12:50 this afternoon at the site on Highway 15.

Union County Emergency Management Director Curt Clayton says firefighters from four departments were originally called to the scene of of the fire around 6 a.m.

The plant is known as North Mississippi Biodiesel, but locals also know it as JNS Biodiesel.

Clayton says two workers were at the facility when the fire and explosion occured, but both escaped injury.

Nearby residents reported hearing two explosions this morning.

Highway 15 remains closed and traffic is being rerouted to Highway 115.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation says they expect the roadway to remain closed for several hours.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and several state agencies are assisting Union County officials at the scene.

Tippah County emergency officials asked the American Red Cross to set up a shelter to help those who lost power, but those plans are on hold since power has been restored.

One home and two industrial businesses near the plant have been evacuated as a precaution.

Masterbilt has canceled second shift operations at its facility near the fire.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has air monitoring teams in the area to test for hazardous materials that may leave the site, but have not detected anything at this time.

The cause of explosion is under investigation.

[Faline]

Boom

[Audioguru]

Way cool!

[vagabond]

Shazam!

[Shakey]

Grease fire.

[bbegovich]

badass