An explosion at Ringneck Energy in Onida on Sunday afternoon caused major structural damage to the ethanol production portion of the plant.
The Sully County Sheriff’s Office secured the scene, and no one was injured. Six employees were at work at the time of the explosion.
The South Dakota Fire Marshal’s Office will begin an investigation on Monday. One mile of old Highway 83 will remain closed to all traffic until further notice. The cause of the explosion is not yet known.
Twenty firefighters and five trucks responded from the Blunt Volunteer Fire Department, Pierre Rural Volunteer Fire Department, and Pierre Volunteer Fire Department. Onida Ambulance, the Sully County Sheriff’s Office, and Pierre Rescue also responded.