I suspect someone did something stupid. Error of judgement, lack of attention, or taking unsafe shortcuts. The usual.
Latest update -says it was a welding accident.
BOISE -- An explosion has rocked a biodiesel plant in New Plymouth and one worker is believed dead. This after a man who was apparently welding on a 20-foot tall storage tank may have ignited the explosion. The man may have fallen into the tank, but his body has not been recovered yet.
New Plymouth is near the Idaho-Oregon border.
The plant was fully engulfed in flames. One person was treated for smoke inhalation.
More than a dozen nearby homes and businesses were evacuated as a precautionary measure. It is not known if the fumes from the fire are toxic. They don't appear to be posing a danger to humans. Many residents watched the fire from the streets.
The Payette County Sheriff put out a call at 11:50 a.m. to several agencies in the area for assistance.
U.S. 30 east and west of New Plymouth has been shutdown because of the smoke.
Authorities were worried about railroad tanker cars parked near the plant. Those tankers have now been moved to a more secure area.
The plant was to be Idaho's first biodiesel production facility, producing up to 10 million gallons of biodiesel per year. Crews were reportedly testing equipment at the plant and getting ready for a grand opening, likely within the next month.
Fire crews in the area has also reportedly been trained for such an event at the plant.
The plant is operated by Blue Sky Biodiesel LLC. The facility was originally scheduled to open two months ago, but was delayed by safety concerns.
The plant occupies the old Emmett Valley Fruit building in the Jiano Industrial Park in New Plymouth.
City leaders were excited about the new jobs and tax base it would bring to the rural community.
"This was a very big accomplishment for the city of New Plymouth to bring in a quality establishment such as Blue Sky," said Jeannette Mayer, Payette County Economic Development Board.
Bio-diesel is seen as a fuel alternative that will reduce the dependence on foreign oil sources, with additional benefits of less pollution, extended engine life and a lubricating quality. Biodiesel is made from soy and canola oils.
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul0706-new_plymouth.3504db03.html