© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

One Person Injured In Explosion At BNWRD Plant

Staff Photo
/
WGLT

Officials are investigating the cause of an explosion Thursday in a boiler room at a Bloomington and Normal Water Reclamation District plant.

The incident happened around 8 a.m. Thursday in the digester boiler room at BNWRD's southeast plant, located in Randolph Township in southeast Bloomington.

The cause of the blast is unknown at this time, but is being investigated.

Randy Stein, the district’s executive director, said one worker suffered minor injuries. She was treated and released from the hospital.

“We’re still looking into what happened this morning, but we’re grateful that our employee was not seriously injured. That is the most important thing right now,” Stein said in a statement. “I also want to thank the multiple first-responders for their quick response.”

Among the agencies at the scene were the Downs, Randolph and Bloomington Township fire departments.

Stein said a digester converts sludge into biosolids, methane gas and water. The incident is not affecting the areas served by the southeast plant, including parts of Bloomington, the village of Downs and the nearby Crestwicke subdivision.

BNWRD also operates a larger plant on West Oakland Avenue in Bloomington that serves most of Bloomington and all of Normal.

People like you value experienced, knowledgeable and award-winning journalism that covers meaningful stories in Bloomington-Normal. To support more stories and interviews like this one, please consider making a contribution.

Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
Related Content