North Carolina Feed Mill Blast Claims Worker’s Life, Leaves Three Injured

Cofield, North Carolina— February 24, 2026 — According to WBTV 3, an early morning explosion at a grain facility has resulted in one fatality and injuries to three additional workers.

The incident occurred at a Perdue Farms feed mill located in Cofield, a small community in Hertford County. Emergency officials reported that a grain tower at the site suffered a powerful explosion, causing extensive structural damage.

County representatives stated that the blast significantly compromised the stability of the eight-story tower and surrounding structures. Ongoing severe weather conditions further complicated response efforts. Due to safety concerns, crews were required to bring in specialized heavy equipment to reinforce portions of the damaged mill before rescue and recovery operations could safely continue. Authorities indicated that stabilization and response efforts spanned approximately 40 hours.

Perdue Farms confirmed that four individuals were present at the facility at the time of the explosion. Three workers were injured. Two received medical treatment and were later released. A third injured worker was transported by air to a regional hospital for further care.

Initially, one individual could not be located following the blast. Officials later confirmed that the missing worker was found deceased the following day. The individual’s identity had not been publicly released when authorities provided updates.

Investigators remain on scene working to determine the cause of the explosion. As of Tuesday morning, no official explanation had been announced.

Grain facilities pose unique industrial hazards due to combustible dust and confined processing environments. Authorities have not yet indicated whether those factors contributed to the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and additional details are expected as officials continue examining the site.

Local officials expressed condolences to the deceased worker’s family and emphasized that safety assessments of the damaged structure remain a priority as the investigation proceeds.

The Ramsay Law Firm has attorneys who are Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation claims to help individuals with severe injuries and death claims.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way. Call 704-376-1616 or contact us online.

Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact the Ramsay Law Firm so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.