A LIQUID HYDROGEN STORAGE TANK BLEW UP EARLY FRIDAY MORNING at a soybean processing plant in St. Joseph, Missouri.  The tank was one of six located outside the factory building.

There is no explanation yet for what caused the tank to blow, but there was a product delivery earlier that night.  However, it is not believed to have contributed to the accident.  When the tank exploded around 3:15 am, there were about 20 employees inside and 10 – 15 people outside, some of them truck drivers waiting to pick up loads.

The blast was felt throughout the entire city, waking people from their sleep.  But there have been no reported injuries from it.  Plant officials are saying that the absence of injuries is probably due to the location of the tanks.  Another saving grace was that the tank blew its top, venting the force upward instead of outward.  The debris field extended 80 ft. in one direction and 140 ft. in another.

The explosion started several fires in the tank area, but they were handled without incident by the FD.  However, the had to remain on the scene for several hours keeping re-ignitions from taking place.

WDAF-TV has a video report from the scene: