South Dakota Honey Plant Explosion, Fire Collapses Walls

WINFRED, S.D. (AP) -- A honey plant exploded and burned around 8 a.m. Friday in Winfred, a few miles west of Madison.

No injuries were reported. No cause was immediately determined.

Fire crews from four surrounding towns were called in. The site was a pile of smoldering rubble by mid day.

Reports from the scene said the walls of the building collapsed and that the force of the explosion blew a garage door into some nearby trees.

The plant is owned by A.H. Meyer and Sons. Jack Meyer said neither he nor any of his 22 workers were hurt.

The company also suffered a fire in a different building about two years ago. And officials said a blast 14 years ago caused major damage.

Meyer said it's too early to determine if it will be rebuilt again.