An explosion at Didion Milling in Cambria, Wisconsin last night killed one person and injured at least 11 others. Five of the injured were airlifted to the University of Wisconsin hospital in Madison. Hours after the explosion, two people were still missing.
1 dead, 2 missing after Columbia County explosion https://t.co/G31peaSKuv pic.twitter.com/oSwEuRODA9
— WISN 12 News (@WISN12News) June 1, 2017
The blast at the corn milling plant occurred around 11 p,m. in Cambria Village, a rural community located about an hour northeast of Madison. The mill processes corn and corn by-products for ethanol plants.
First responders from 37 agencies raced to the scene. As firefighters battled the blaze, anxious family members waited for word about their loved ones.
Nayeli Hernandez, told News 3 that some of her friends were trapped in the building. “I got a phone call from my brother. I called a coworker who is another lab tech. They were trapped inside. A big explosion happened, then everything just collapsed,” Hernandez, who has worked at the mill for more than three years told the station.
Four of those airlifted to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison are in the burn unit, one is in the intensive care unit. One of the injured employees had to have his legs amputated, according to a Red Cross spokeswoman. The man who died has a 13-month-old baby with his girlfriend.
The cause of the explosion has not yet been identified.
Local schools are closed today and district officials say they may reschedule the high school graduation ceremony that is set for tomorrow.
If you would like a free consultation about an explosion injury lawsuit or an explosion death lawsuit, contact Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman, our lead attorneys for these cases. Or, call them toll-free at 1 (888) 377-8900. There is no obligation.
