Submitted photoThe silo explosion Wednesday caused windows to shatter at several downtown businesses. 

VALDOSTA — Several blocks of southern Valdosta suffered broken windows and other minor damage midday Wednesday after one of South Georgia Pecan’s silos exploded.

The silo, on South Lee Street across from the company’s offices, blew at 12:54 p.m., said Capt. James Clinkscales with the Valdosta Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

Windows were blown out of businesses blocks away in the downtown district, and the force of the blast could be felt at The Valdosta Daily Times’ building on North Troup Street. A car near the silo was damaged by falling debris.

Twisted metal littered the rear parking lot of the Georgia Department of Labor building, located close to South Georgia Pecan on Lee Street.

Streets in the area around South Lee Street were barricaded as firefighters and other first responders arrived. The intersection of South Lee and Wooding Lane, close to the silo, was jammed with emergency personnel.

As of 1:30 p.m., firefighters were making sure there wouldn’t be another explosion, Clinkscales said.

Authorities were still investigating the cause of the explosion Wednesday afternoon.

Responding agencies included the city’s fire department, Lowndes County Fire Rescue, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, an ambulance from South Georgia Medical Center and a crew from the Norfolk Southern railroad. Rail tracks run through the area.

The silo was used for storing pecan hulls, said Hannah Russell, who works in sales and marketing at South Georgia Pecan. The major damage was limited to that one silo, she said.

“We will do everything in our power to make sure (the blast) is investigated thoroughly,” she said.

The explosion will not hamper the company’s operations, she said.

Among the buildings damaged in Downtown Valdosta were the Looking Good clothing store and the closed Stephenson’s Jewelry.

“I’m just glad it (the amount of damage) was what it was and not what it could have been,” said Kim Stephenson, building owner. “Years ago, a jet from Moody (Air Force Base) caused all our windows downtown to go out.”

Sarah Warrender contributed to this report.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.