A Mason City biodiesel plant will remain closed for now after an explosion on Tuesday night. The blast at Soy Energy did cause some damage but no injuries have been reported.
President and general manager Jeff Oestmann says they’re grateful that nobody was injured in the fire. He says they’re still investigating the exact cause, but they do know it originated in a tank inside a restricted area. Oestmann says they’ve called together a team of experts to investigate what may have caused the incident and they are working proactively with local officials and the fire department to determine the cause.
He says after the investigation is complete and the tank is repaired that the plant should be back up and running. Soy Energy, which employs 40 people, produces biodiesel from soybeans and corn stillage.
By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City