Authorities investigate Rose Hill corn silo explosion

Several Duplin County emergency crews responded to a corn silo explosion at the Nash Johnson & Sons Farms Rose Hill Feed Mill, located at 3362 S. US 117 Highway on Monday morning. 

Duplin Emergency Communications Center received the call about an explosion at approximately 11:15 a.m. According to Duplin County Fire and Emergency Management officials, no one was injured during the incident.

According to Dave Witter, House of Raeford Farms Manager, there was no pre-warning of the explosion, so employees were evacuated immediately after it happened. 

“Currently making sure the original hazard is under control and emergency conditions no longer exist,” Witter told Duplin Journal.

Immediately after the incident, the public was asked to avoid the area as responders were on scene conducting cleanup operations. 

Matthew Barwick, Department of Emergency Management director & Fire Marshal told Duplin Journal the incident is still under investigation and the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined.

According to Witter, it is too early to determine the latitude of the damage.

“Investigation of the cause and extent of the damage may take several more days or weeks,” said Witter.