10 injured in nitrogen explosion at Kentucky Dippin' Dots facility

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Nine people were released from the hospital and one continues to recover after a nitrogen explosion at a Dippin' Dots facility in Paducah, Kentucky this week, the company said. 

Officials are not yet sure what exactly led to the explosion Wednesday afternoon, but liquid nitrogen was being unloaded at the plant. The building is owned by Dippin' Dots but is not one where they manufacture ice cream. Instead it is used to manufacture ingredients for a third-party company, according to the company

"At this moment, our focus is on the well-being of our fellow employees who were injured," Dippin' Dots spokesperson Billie Stuber said in a statement Thursday. "They are foremost in our thoughts and prayers this evening."

The company is offering counseling to employees, she added. 

Stuber said the company is working with local officials and is in touch with state and federal authorities "in preparation for a complete investigation." 

Dippin' Dots CEO Scott Fischer added, "My heart is with our employees, especially those injured in this afternoon’s terrible incident. I care deeply for our employees – they are family to me." 

In 2019, an explosion in a production area of a separate Paducah manufacturing facility injured four people.

Production is expected to resume at the plant soon, Stuber said. 

Contributing: The Associated Press.

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