Iowa plant explosion leads to evacuation

An explosion and fire at an agricultural plant in eastern Iowa has caused injuries and an evacuation of people near the operation.

The explosion and fire happened on Thursday in Marengo at a soybean crushing plant and grain elevator owned by Heartland Crush. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City said it had received patients injured in the explosion.

Residents near the plant were evacuated, and the Iowa County Sheriff's Department advised people who live at a safe distance to stay indoors to avoid exposure to smoke. Marengo is about 80 miles east of Des Moines.