CLINTON, Iowa — A chemical plant in Clinton, Iowa, said there was nothing to worry about after an explosion occurred Wednesday night, Jan. 26.
LyondellBasell Public Relations Lead Megan Borchers said the incident came from an operational event at about 6:45 p.m. that caused one of the plant's low-density reactors to make a "loud noise."
One resident outside of Clinton captured the blast on a surveillance video from home. He told News 8 he's lived there for over a year and has never seen or heard anything like this before. He said it felt like lightening had struck the area.
Borchers explained the safety equipment operated as designed, so no one was injured and the plant was stable.
"There is no cause for concern to the community, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused," Borchers said.
The explosion was reportedly seen across the river from Port Byron, Illinois.
The Clinton Complex is one of the largest chemical plants in Iowa, covering nearly 239 acres with close to 400 employees and contractors.
According to the company's website, the plant uses natural gas liquids as feedstock and eventually converts it to polyethylene plastic resins. The end result is leak-proof and shatter-proof containers for industrial and household chemicals, food preserve packaging and children's toys.