ATF on scene at site of Rockmart explosion
Two are still in Atlanta hospitals as officials search through debris.
ROCKMART — Winter weather made it difficult for investigators to work at JCG Farms Feed Mill, but the investigation continued Tuesday into what caused a deadly explosion at the Rockmart facility early Sunday morning.
Rockmart Fire Chief Todd Queen said the investigation was started in earnest after more agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrived Monday night to join the effort.
Queen said they had not yet found any indications of a cause yet, and said it is too early in the investigation to speculate.
“It’s still fairly early. As with any fire investigation, everything is on the table,” Queen said. “As we begin to go through the investigation process, we can rule out some causes and focus more on others. … We’re looking at everything.”
Queen said it would likely take weeks, maybe months, to get a complete picture of what happened.
To help complete that picture, the ATF has sent several agents to help.
Nero Priester, a senior special agent for the ATF and the public information officer for the Atlanta Field Division, said 20 agents are on scene from the agency’s National Response Team.
A mobile command center has been set up to provide technical resources on site.
“We have a wide array of people with various specialties on site to help with events like this,” Priester said.
The team will help generate what is called a Cause of Origin report, and will initially try to find any evidence of intentional sparking of the plant explosion.
“Primarily what we try to do is rule out unnatural causes first, anything like arson or the use of an explosive device,” Priester said. “Once we rule out those things, we start to look for the accidental causes.”
Queen said two problems were hindering efforts: the cold and wintry weather, and not being able to move freely inside the plant with what he called “significant damage.”
He said several areas inside the plant are dangerous because of the damage caused by the explosion, including one building that suffered a complete collapse.
Flags atop the silos at the plant were set at half staff Tuesday for 25-yearold Justin Deems, who was killed in the explosion.
Two others remain hospitalized for their injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Queen said.
Three others who were sent to Rome area hospitals following Sunday’s explosion were treated and released, Queen said.
Queen did say that officials from JCG Farms have been cooperating fully with investigators.
“They’ve provided all the information that we’ve asked for, and have been very helpful to us,” Queen said.
‘As with any fire investigation, everything is on the table. ... We’re looking at everything.’
Todd Queen
Rockmart fire chief