The cause of a chemical explosion in La Crosse last week is still under investigation.
A Midwest Industrial Asphalt tank holding 7,000 gallons of a diesel-asphalt mix exploded and caught fire last week. Investigators from the business, fire department, and insurance company are searching for the cause.
The tank was originally misidentified by fire and company officials as one belonging to Midwest Industrial Fuels. Officials issued a correction on Monday.
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La Crosse Fire Division Chief of Inspection Craig Snyder said they do know the tank exploded in a way that it was designed to, thus preventing massive damage to nearby tanks. The lid shot straight into the air and caused a rumble that was felt and heard miles away.
“When that blast plumes into the air, the concussion is up higher,” said Snyder. “You’re going to have a great travel distance. As opposed to if it would have been down low on the ground, it would have been absorbed by the surrounding buildings and tanks and whatnot.”
Officials are praising the quick response time from fire and company officials. One employee was injured with minor burns, but is now back to work.
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