Explosion, Fire Damage Johnston County Plant

Investigators continue to look for the cause of an explosion at a Johnston County plant Tuesday.

Authorities said the blast happened around 1:30 p.m., at the House-Autry Mills plant, at 7000 U.S. Highway 301 South in Four Oaks. The plant produces corn meal.

Johnston County Fire Marshal Paul Whitehurst said a hatch flew off a hopper at the back of the building, but investigators do not know what caused that to happen.

The blast knocked down a wall; a fire was contained to one section if the building.

The facility was created in January 2001 after relocating from Newton Grove.

Officials evacuated the plant. No one was injured.