By: Erika Summers
esummers@klkntv.com
Beatrice Fire and Rescue crews responded to the Koch Nitrogen Plant in Beatrice just before 5 a.m. Friday morning.
The company says it was not an explosion, but a release of pressure. Fire officials say when they got to the scene, two contractors working for the plant were injured. One contractor was taken to Bryan LGH West in Lincoln for serious injuries. A second contractor was taken to a local hospital in Beatrice with minor injuries.
Fire officials say Koch Nitrogen Plant officials are investigating what led up to the incident. They say there was no fire. They say no hazardous materials were involved in the incident.
The plant has been shut down for maintenance. Fire officials described it as a big over pressurized blast.
Damage to the building is minimal. Fire officials report no leaks or any other threat to the plant or people around it.
When the plant is running, it typically produces anhydrous ammonia.
