Lightning is being blamed for an explosion that damaged a business in the northeast Iowa town of Oelwein. Firefighters were called out Sunday morning to the International Ingredient facility north of Oelwein.
Six people were in the building at the time, but no one was injured. Lightning had apparently sparked some dust from agricultural materials, causing a blast that collapsed the roof of the structure, as well as doing extensive damage to other parts of the building. There were thundershowers in the area at the time.
The plant makes pet food and other animal feed. The explosion and the resulting damage will reportedly slow production at the plant for a few days until repairs can be made to the building.
By Roger King, KOEL, Oelwein