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BOXHOLM, Iowa --

Two workers were hurt Monday morning during an explosion at a grain elevator in northern Iowa.

Sarah Dorman, a spokesperson for West Central Cooperative, said the small explosion came from a grain dryer near the Boxholm elevator at 29 Beech St. around 8:45 a.m.

Two employees nearby were hurt in the blast, one was working on a platform on the grain dryer at the time of the explosion. One worker was taken to a Boone hospital and the other flown by air ambulance to a Des Moines hospital. Their names and conditions are not yet available.

Dorman said the worker's injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. She said one was treated and released from the hospital. The other worker was still being evaluated as of noon on Monday.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. A couple hours after the blast, smoke could still be seen coming from the dryer area.

Crews are expected to wrap up their work this afternoon, but officials said the elevator would likely remain closed until mid-week. Farmers will be directed to other nearby elevators until the Boxholm Co-op can reopen.

Fire crews at the scene said the incident is the fourth time this fall they have been called to a fire involving a grain dryer. Crews worked to remove the grain from the dryer to help put out the fire.

Look for updates on this developing story on KCCI-TV and here on KCCI.com.

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