Police in a North Carolina town says one person is dead after a plant explosion.
Authorities in Nash County told local media outlets that a fire tank exploded at Pennco, Inc., on U.S. Highway 264 in Middlesex at around 9:30 a.m. on Friday. The fire marshal said two people were on duty at the time of the explosion. Neither person was identified.
Middlesex is 33 miles (53 kilometers) east of Raleigh.
Pennco manufactures wastewater treatment chemicals. The cause of the explosion wasn’t immediately known.
WRAL-TV in Raleigh reported the explosion could be heard and felt in nearby communities.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Topics North Carolina
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Robotaxi Riders Are Falling Asleep, Sparking Frantic 911 Calls
El Niño Likely Strongest in 75 Years, US Forecasters Say
Clash of Florida Titans Pits Powerful Tribe Against Homebuilder Lennar
CSU Lowers Atlantic Hurricane Forecast to ‘Well Below Normal’ 

