We have new information regarding the Friday morning explosion at the Landus Cooperative site in Jefferson.

Greene County Sheriff and Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams tell Raccoon Valley Radio there were three separate explosions, all contained to the main structure on the Landus site. When crews arrived on scene, Williams says he could see visible flames coming from the grain elevator shaft and adds the fire quickly dissipated inside the elevator. Crews remain on scene fighting the  fire. 

Williams points out that due to the size of the structure, skylifts have been requested from Des Moines that can reach the 130-foot high elevator and bins. He confirms the damage is catastrophic and believes the structure will be shut down for the duration of the year. He states the explosion caused the tops of all of the clustered grain bins to blow off and the catwalks and scaffoldings are severely damaged. Williams adds, the west side of the structure is crumbling, but hasn’t caved at this time.

Williams says no one was inside the elevator at the time of the explosion and there were some Landus employees inside one of the neighboring grain bins, but they were able to escape safely and without suffering injuries. He notes no hazardous materials were released and that the State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in the investigation. 

In a statement from Landus Cooperative, Executive Vice President of Communications and Marketing Kerrey Kerr-Enskat called the incident a “dust explosion” and that “all employees are accounted for and there were no injuries.”

Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse says he was near Tri-County Lumber on Highway 4 in Jefferson when the explosion occurred and could feel the shockwave. 

Williams says the cause of the explosion, as well as the total extent of the property damage remain under investigation at this time. Jefferson, Scranton, Grand Junction, and Carroll fire departments, as well as the Jefferson Police Department, Greene County Ambulance and Iowa State Patrol remain on scene. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.

Update from original post at 8:58am.