AURORA, NEBRASKA, US — No injuries were reported but grain handling equipment was reportedly damaged in a dust explosion at the KAAPA ethanol plant in Aurora, Nebraska, US, on Oct. 15, according to news reports.
The dust explosion occurred on the grain elevator side of the plant, said Aurora Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Cox. He said it caused “quite a bit of structural damage” to the grain handling equipment where the explosion occurred.
Along with the fire department, multiple agencies responded to the explosion, including the Aurora Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal.
In 2023, KAAPA ethanol joined with Aurora Cooperative Elevator Co. to create a joint venture, KAAPA Partners Aurora LLC, which owns and operates the ethanol and grain facilities in Aurora.
