Emergency crews in Cherokee County responded yesterday afternoon to an explosion at Little Sioux Corn Processors, located east of Marcus.
The first reports came in just after 4:30 p.m., when dispatchers received multiple calls about what sounded like two explosions at the facility.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from a grain leg and from the plant’s dust‑collection system. Marcus Assistant Fire Chief Matt Dreckman says crews quickly worked to open access points and cool the equipment. Once the system was ventilated, he says there were no active flames, and the situation was brought under control.
A dust collector was damaged in the blast, and officials say the incident appears to have been a dust explosion. The exact cause has not yet been determined.
Cherokee County Emergency Management confirmed on Facebook that all personnel and contractors at the plant were accounted for within the first hour of the response. No major injuries were reported, though a truck driver did receive minor injuries.
By about 5:30 p.m., Emergency Management announced the scene was stable and urged the public to stay clear while crews finished their work. An hour later, emergency responders were released, and the site was turned back over to plant officials for their internal investigation.
In a written statement, Little Sioux Corn Processors President and CEO Nick Bowdish said the explosion occurred inside the grain‑receiving bag house on the south side of the facility. All equipment in that area has been locked out and will remain offline until the investigation is complete. Bowdish emphasized that the ethanol plant on the north side of the railroad tracks was not affected and continues normal operations.
Little Sioux Corn Processors has been producing ethanol and feed co‑products since 2003. According to the company, the Marcus facility produces about 170 million gallons of ethanol each year.
Officials say the situation remains under investigation, but there is no ongoing threat to the public.
