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Vigil planned for Cambria mill explosion victims

Posted at 4:51 PM, Jun 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-01 23:46:09-04

In Cambria, questions remain after a corn mill explosion killed one person and left a dozen injured. Two people are still missing.

As those questions go unanswered for now, the community is looking to find strength through a candlelight vigil for the victims Thursday night.

The vigil will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

The church will remain open until 10 p.m. Thursday and will reopen at 9 a.m. Friday. Food, beverages and emotional support will all be available.

The explosion happened around 11 p.m. at the Didion Milling plant. Sixteen employees were inside at the time. 

Downtown Cambria is just about a mile from the plant, and neighbors living there said the explosion woke them up.

One woman, Cathy Royt, said when she walked outside after hearing the explosion, the whole area was pitch black.

"It gets you scared," Royt said. "But I always put my faith in God and He's going to direct me and be the one to tell us what's going to happen."

Royt and her family shared their thoughts and prayers with the workers and their families, and said they'll do what they can to help. 

Families of the workers are getting help from the American Red Cross.

You can also donate to the Old Mill Foundation Didion Benefit Fund by mailing donations to: National Exchange Bank, 118 West Edgewater Street, P.O. Box 338, Cambria, WI 53923.