At 9:27 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, the Fargo Fire Department responded to a report of a natural gas explosion at a food processing plant in the 300 block of 40th Street North.
Before fire crews arrived, the plant was evacuated and the natural gas line was shut off. Upon arrival, fire crews determined there had been a natural gas explosion in a heater at the plant. Firefighters are still on scene extinguishing smoldering material in the explosion area to prevent any further fire spread.
During the explosion, one person received injuries that were not life-threatening and was transported by ambulance to a local medical facility. Another person was evaluated for injuries at the scene but declined transport to a medical facility.
The Fargo Fire Department believes a natural gas leak caused the explosion; the cause of the leak has not been determined. A cost estimate of the damage is not available at this time.
The Fargo Fire Department responded with four engines, a ladder truck and two command vehicles. The Fargo Police Department and Sanford Ambulance provided assistance at the scene.