HERTFORD COUNTY, Nc. — A Perdue worker at the company's feed mill facility in Cofield, North Carolina is still unaccounted for Saturday evening after an explosion there Saturday morning. Three other associates were on site at the time of the incident and are being assessed for injuries.
Emergency crews responded around 2:30 a.m. Saturday for a report of a fire. They later determined there was a fire and an explosion. Saturday evening, it is unclear if one caused the other.
In a statement, Perdue confirmed there was an explosion and said four workers were on site at the time of the explosion. One worker was still unaccounted for Saturday evening.
Earlier today, an explosion occurred at the Perdue feed mill facility in Cofield, North Carolina. Four associates were onsite at the time of the incident. We are assessing the extent of any injuries, and one associate has not yet been accounted for. Our thoughts are with those associates and their families. We are working closely with investigators to determine the cause and wish to extend our profound gratitude to the first responders and local emergency personnel for their swift action. We are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and appreciate the community's patience as we work to determine exactly what happened. The safety of our associates, emergency responders, and the surrounding community remains our highest priority.
Saturday afternoon, Hertford County Public Information Officer Christian Davies talked with reporters near the facility. Details were limited at the time.
"We're working very closely with our state, local, and federal partners to determine what caused the fire as well as the explosion," Davies said.
News 3 reporter Erin Holly was able to see what appeared to be a hole in the side of a tower at the facility.
According to Hertford County officials, emergency personnel responded promptly and remained on site as crews worked to ensure the safety of facility employees, first responders, and the surrounding community.
Hertford County officials were coordinating closely with Perdue and partner agencies as the situation continues to be assessed and managed.
"Town of Winton Fire Department, Murfreesboro Fire Department, Ahoskie, and Ahoskie Rural Volunteer Fire Departments. We have assistance from North Carolina Department of Emergency Management, the office of the Fire Marshall of North Carolina, Hertford County EMS have been on scene. Hertford County Emergency Managment have been on scene. We have a lot of other partners that are on scene as well," Davies said.
Officials are working to gather additional confirmed details about the incident.
The incident comes less than a week after a Perdue truck driver died when the truck they were driving went off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and into the water below.
Watch: After deadly crash, questions grow about guardrail safety on Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
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