On December 15th, a biomass boiler caught on fire at Eastern Illinois University's Renewable Energy Center. Officials say this investigation will take months to complete. Recently, News Watch obtained a copy of the fire report on the incident. Today, EIU Vice President for Business Affairs Paul McCann, gave News Watch's Jesse Guinn a first-hand look inside the building and at the damage caused by the explosion. He also explained why the investigation has only just begun. Firefighters from Charleston and Lincoln Fire Protection District were on scene for over seven hours the night of December 15th handling the situation. One firefighter was taken to the hospital after recieving burns through his protective gear. McCann says safety is the University's top priority and they simply want the Biomass boilers to operate as they were supposed to. Meanwhile, McCann says the natural gas portion of the facility is fully operational, serving the campus as it has since it opened. News Watch will keep following the investigation and bring you any new information as it becomes available.
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