New Albany Plant Explosion Ruled Accident

NEW ALBANY, Miss. (AP) – The state fire marshal’s has ruled as an accident the January fire and explosion at JNS Biofuels plant near New Albany.

The report was released Wednesday.

The JNS Biofuels plant used chicken fat, soybean oils and other oils to produce B100 biodiesel.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports (http://bit.ly/1kuPfP0 ) the fire marshal found the likely cause of the incident was a problem with a thermal oil heater or pump used in the distillation process to produce biodiesel.

Investigators couldn’t determine an exact cause for the fire and subsequent explosions because of extensive damage to the area of the blast.

The estimated damage to property and contents was $3.5 million.

Most of the damaged equipment has been removed and crews have been seen working there.

There were no injuries reported.