Nearly week after an explosion had suspended operations, the rendering department at Hormel Foods was running again Wednesday, said Julie Craven, director of public relations.

An explosion occurred in the department Sept. 5 that left five employees injured and shut down operations in the rendering department of the plant for almost a week.

Jeremy McCullough, 27 of Albert Lea, was treated and released from Austin Medical Center. Austin residents Chad Swenson, 21, Lee Johnson, 50, and Joe Welke, 54 were sent to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and were still listed in fair condition Friday morning. Andy Wolf, 33 of Austin, was listed in serious condition when first admitted to Regions, but has since asked that no medical information be given out about him.

State Fire Marshal Tom Brace said the explosion was caused by dust particles. The events started about 12:30 a.m. Thursday by a series of dust explosions in a tank, which weakened a gas line, according to the marshal. That line ruptured, which then caused a major explosion around 2:40 a.m., Brace said.

The explosion occurred in the 29 x 29-foot grinder room in the rendering department, according to Austin fire Chief Dan Wilson.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com