Silo containing liquid asphalt explodes at Leesburg business, officials say

Police responded to a silo explosion at DAB Constructors Inc. in Leesburg Thursday morning.

The explosion happened around 6 a.m. at the business on 1233 Commerce St.

Officials said an employee was beginning operations at the plant when a silo containing liquid asphalt exploded.

LEESBURG, Fla. — "It is apparent that a valve malfunctioned on one their hoppers and an explosion resulted," the Leesburg Police Department tweeted.

The employee was not seriously injured and was treated at the scene.

No injuries at asphalt plant explosion. Leesburg PD and FD are on scene. Leesburg FD will be POC on scene.
— LCSO Alerts (@LCSOAlerts) April 4, 2019

Firefighters said they heard the explosion from a mile away.

Calvin Beard who was working across the street from the business when the explosion happened said it was too close for comfort.

"One of the guys said they saw sparks flying up in the air. I was inside the building and it was a significant explosion," Beard said. "The shelves blew off my wall, things went flying all over the room. I ran over to the concrete building incase something came flying. And something did come flying over my car and landed in the middle of that field."