May 23--A loud explosion shattered the late evening air Friday night in northern Vigo County.

The blast, which came from the grounds of CF Industries on U.S. 41 North near the Parke County/Vigo County line, could be heard as far away as downtown Terre Haute -- about eight miles to the south.

A fire burned steadily for at least two hours following the explosion, which took place shortly before 9:30 p.m.

Flames were shooting about 30 feet into the air about 15 minutes after the explosion. A large trail of black smoke drifted from the site of the blast to the north toward the town of Lyford.

An Otter Creek firefighter on the scene said an electrical substation at CF Industries had exploded.

No injuries were initially reported. Nevins Township firefighters also were at the site, as were workers from Duke Energy.

According to the CF Industries Web site, "The Terre Haute Ammonia Terminal receives ammonia via pipeline from the company's Donaldsonville nitrogen complex and by rail on the CSX rail line from its Medicine Hat nitrogen complex. It ships ammonia to customers via truck."

A former employee, who had gone to the scene, speculated that the fire was a safe distance from any possible anhydrous ammonia on the property. The former worker did not want to be identified.

Emergency vehicles entered and exited the CF Industries facility for hours after the blast. U.S. 41 remained open as the fire burned.

-----

To see more of The Tribune-Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tribstar.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

NYSE:CF, NYSE:DUK,

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.