Injuries reported at Omaha plant collapse; some possibly trapped

An Omaha plant that produces animal nutritional supplements partially collapsed after an explosion Monday, injuring several employees and perhaps trapping others.

In a tweet, local police said: “#OPD praying for workers and families of all involved in this industrial accident.”

Local media reported that there was an industrial explosion and fire at International Nutrition near South 76th and F streets around 10 a.m. local time. Television images showed smoke rising from the building.

At least six and as many as nine people were taken to area hospitals, according to media reports. Most of those were burn victims, the reports said.

Kari Cook told KETV-TV that at 10:09 a.m. she received a text message from John Broderick, her boyfriend and a 53-year-old employee at the plant.

“Major accident at work I’m hurt and trapped love you,” the message from Broderick read.

Cook said Broderick has worked there for about eight years.

International Nutrition manufactures animal nutritional supplements and other products for feed manufacturers, animal health distributors and large livestock producers. The privately held Omaha-based firm says it has served the feed industry for more than 40 years

Photos of the incident were shared over social media.