Reports suggested that the explosion was due to powder in a milk hydration area. California Dairies disclosed: “The computer data showed that within a span of less than 3 minutes, the dryer temperature spiked to the maximum measurable by the equipment, a spontaneous combustion explosion then occurred, after which the dryer cooled down.”
No fatalities were reported. The company stated that the butter processing department was unaffected. The company added that the plant should be totally clean within 72 hours.