Video shows massive explosion rip through battery processing plant in Missouri

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. (KTVI) – A massive fire broke out at the Critical Mineral Recovery facility, a battery processing plant south of St. Louis, on Wednesday afternoon, releasing thick, toxic smoke into the air and prompting an immediate response from emergency teams.

Al Watkins is the attorney representing the fire-damaged Critical Mine Recovery plant. He says the facility took extensive measures to protect the employees and community. He says these measures worked because there were no injuries from Wednesday's fire.

However, CMR is the largest employer in Fredericktown and Watkins says the facility suffered a "total loss" from the fire, which results in the loss of 75 high-end jobs.

Watkins explained that lithium-ion batteries are inherently unstable and can easily ignite, requiring careful recycling and dismantling. Despite extensive safety measures, he noted, risks remain as Wednesday's fire demonstrated.

"No matter how much work is done to make sure to maintain the stability of these batteries. ... There's risk. And today, something happened," said Watkins. "There have been fires in Los Angeles, they're large and damaging. But unlike other fires, not one injury here. But we as a nation don't have all of the answers yet."

Watkins says CMS immediately put up air sensors in the community to keep an eye on the hazardous smoke and track its dissipation.

According to its company website, Critical Mineral Recovery, is a battery processor with 100 percent of its work dedicated to servicing Interco Trading Inc., a global recycling company that specialized in placement of smelter-ready minerals around the world.

The plant is considered to be one of the largest lithium-ion battery processing facilities worldwide.