UPDATE: Explosion at Hornady Manufacturing claims one life, injures two others

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — An explosion at the Hornady Manufacturing Company claimed the life of one employee and left two others injured Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

According to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency (NSFMA), at around 9:47 a.m., the Cairo Fire Department, the first to arrive on the scene, found the explosion to have taken place within the PVE West Building.

NSFMA said, 32-year-old Grand Island resident Adriana Alvarez, an employee of Hornady Manufacturing Company, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two other employees sustained injuries during the incident, one transporting themselves to the hospital and the other being taken by ambulance. Both injured employees were treated and released on the same day.

After an investigation, authorities determined that the explosion was accidental and It was revealed that the incident occurred during the mixing process of the primer compound.

Responding agencies included the Cairo Fire Department, Alda Fire Department, Wood River Fire Department, Grand Island Rural Fire Department, Grand Island Fire Department, Hall County Attorney’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency.

NSFMA said, that at this time, they have completed their investigation.