Emergency responders from across Northwest Iowa were called to a hazardous materials incident at a dairy farm west of Rock Valley late Tuesday morning.
According to Sioux County Emergency Management Coordinator Ryan De Kruyf, first responders were dispatched to Meadowvale Dairy, located west of Rock Valley near Highway 18, after reports of a hazardous materials spill.
A press release from the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office provides additional details, stating that the Rock Valley Fire Department was paged to Meadowvale Dairy at 1760 300th Street at 10:12 a.m. on January 6th for a reported explosion.
Upon arrival, firefighters determined there was likely a chemical explosion in the basement of one of the dairy’s parlors. Officials say no people or animals were injured. The scene was evacuated and secured as a precaution.
Due to the nature of the incident, hazmat crews from Sioux City Fire Rescue were requested to assist, as they have specialized equipment needed to safely assess and respond to chemical incidents.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, emergency crews were still actively working at the scene.
The Rock Valley Fire Department was assisted by the Rock Valley Ambulance, Hull Fire Department, Sioux Center Fire Department, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, and Sioux County Emergency Management.
The incident remains under investigation, and no additional details have been released at this time.
Thanks to Media Partner KTIV in Sioux City for some of the information on this story
