Silo Damaged In Explosion At Monroe Ethanol Plant

Contained Fire Slowly Burning Inside Silo At Badger State Ethanol In Monroe

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Madison Police Department car
Michelle Johnson/WPR

Officials say an explosion at an ethanol plant in southern Wisconsin caused structural damage, but did not result in any injuries to employees or first responders.

Green County Emergency Management Director Tanna McKeon said the explosion occurred in a silo at Badger State Ethanol in Monroe shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday. McKeon said a fire is slowly burning inside the silo and is contained. She said the extent of the damage to the silo will be assessed after the fire is out.

McKeon said the silo, which can hold a maximum 2,200 tons, was 40 percent full of a ground corn product when the explosion occurred.

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The cause of the explosion is under investigation. The plant operates around the clock, but no employees were hurt.

Several other agencies are assisting Monroe firefighters at the scene.

Editor’s note: This story was last updated at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018 with comments from the county emergency manager.