Worker dies after explosion in NC animal rendering plant; Charlotte Fire assists

A Wadesboro plant worker died in a chemical explosion, officials said Friday.

Ansonville Fire Department responded to a hazardous materials call at the Darling Ingredients Company plant, which collects and repurposes animal by-product as gelatin, collagen and livestock feed, according to its website.

Queen City News first reported someone died in the explosion at the plant on the 600 block of Little Duncan Road off of U.S. 52. late Thursday night.

Firefighters called Charlotte Fire Department for assistance, the department shared in a post. WSOC, the Observer’s news partner, reported Charlotte air quality monitoring and hazmat resources were on scene.

WSOC reported the rendering plant is shut down while the investigation of the chemical explosion is underway.

This story was originally published June 23, 2023 at 12:56 PM.

Julia Coin

The Charlotte Observer

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Julia Coin covers courts, legal issues, police and public safety around Charlotte and is part of the Pulitzer-finalist team that covered Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina. As the Observer’s breaking news reporter, she unveiled how fentanyl infiltrated local schools. Michigan-born and Florida-raised, she studied journalism at the University of Florida, where she covered statewide legislation, sexual assault on campus and Hurricane Ian in her hometown of Sanibel Island. Support my work with a digital subscription