USA – 1 Dead, 3 Injured After Explosion at North Carolina Feed Mill
A worker was killed and three others were injured after an early morning explosion at a Perdue Feed Mill facility in Hertford County, North Carolina. The incident occurred Saturday and sparked a fire inside the plant.
Emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 2:15 a.m. to the 200 block of Perdue Road after reports of an explosion and a commercial building fire. Authorities said the blast originated inside an eight-story grain tower at the facility.
Four employees were working at the site when the explosion occurred, according to company officials. Two workers were treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening, while a third person suffered serious injuries and was transported by helicopter to a regional medical center. A fourth employee was initially reported missing and was later confirmed dead.
Officials said the victim’s body was recovered and taken to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for identification and determination of the official cause of death. The person’s name has not yet been released.
Multiple local and state agencies responded to the incident, including area volunteer fire departments, Hertford County EMS, North Carolina Emergency Management, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting authorities as they work to determine what caused the explosion.
Authorities described the response as a multi-day operation that involved firefighting efforts, search operations, structural stabilization, and coordinated recovery work.
In a statement, Perdue spokesperson Andrea Staub said the company was deeply saddened by the loss of the employee and expressed condolences to the worker’s family and loved ones. She said Perdue is cooperating fully with investigators and providing support to employees affected by the incident. Staub also thanked first responders for their swift and professional actions.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Photo credit: Hertford County. All rights reserved.