POLK COUNTY, Ga. — One person was killed and several others were injured when an explosion hit a feed mill in Rockmart early Sunday morning.
The Rockmart City Manager told Channel 2’s Steve Gelhbach that one person was killed, one flown to Grady Memorial Hospital, two taken to a local hospital, two people to another local hospital and two other people refused treatment.
The coroner confirmed the victim is 25-year-old Justin Deems.
Justin Deems' mother, Rita Deems, says her son was a husband for only six months before his death.
“From what we believe to be a natural gas explosion of some type within the structure," said Tony Brazier.
Other employees and former workers tell us it may have been a dust explosion from fine particles from the corn and grain stored at the facility and used to make the feed. All of the particles could have ignited.
Eight people were working overnight at the time of the explosion.
Several residents called Channel 2 reporting that they felt the explosion from the JCG feed mill around 2:30 a.m.
"I thought it was a sonic boom. That's the first thing that came in my mind, or an earthquake. I had no clue what it was," said Denise Wilson, who works near the feed mill.
Deems says the explosion shook her house just a mile and a half away in Polk County.
Deems says she hasn't been able to sleep and doesn't know when she will again.
"Knowing I ain't gonna get to see him no more," Deems said.
WSBTV
