At least 3 hurt in Illinois ethanol plant fire

MADISON, Ill. – Federal workplace safety officials are trying to pinpoint what caused a reported explosion and flash fire that injured three people at a southwestern Illinois ethanol plant.

Madison Fire Chief Jeff Bridick says at least one of the victims of the accident about 9 a.m. Monday at Abengoa Bioenergy of Illinois sustained serious burns the lower extremities. The other victims were said to receive more minor burns to the head and neck.

The victims were not identified.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the men were working near a container in a maintenance shed when the container exploded. Bridick says the fire burned itself out by the time firefighters arrived.

The plant is the site of an old Army depot.