NASHVILLE, Ark.-A boiler room outside the Tyson's main plant here exploded early Thursday, injuring two people and causing the plant's cook room to be temporarily closed.
"We're investigating a fire that happened in part of our Nashville plant. Unfortunately, two of our team members have been injured and are receiving medical attention. We appreciate the quick response of local firefighters and first responders who helped our team members," said Worth Sparkman, Tyson spokesman.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Sparkman said Tyson is working with local fire officials to determine the cause of the blaze.
"Because we're still assessing the situation, the further processing part of our operation will not run today," Sparkman said on Thursday.
Nashville Mayor Billy Ray Jones said it was his understanding two men were conducting an inspection inside the boiler room at the time of the explosion but were able to walk out on their own power and were talking to emergency workers who responded to the fire.
They had burns to their arms, legs and face and are receiving medical attention.
"It was a pretty bad deal," Jones said.
A person who was on scene after the explosion said the two employees were airlifted to Little Rock for burn treatment. The explosion occurred about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Jones said.
The boiler room was totally destroyed and some of its components are needed to cook the chickens in the main plant.
Sparkman said the fire was limited to a detached building, so the main section of the plant was not impacted.
Jones said the fire could have been a lot worse.
He also credited area fire departments for working together and getting the blaze out in a timely manner.
"We had fire departments from all around working together to contain this. And they had it knocked out by 4 a.m."