COLFIELD — Emergency crews from across eastern North Carolina continued search operations Saturday following the collapse of a grain tower early Feb. 21, 2026, at the Perdue feed mill in Cofield.
According to Greenville Fire/Rescue, at approximately 3 a.m. Saturday, North Carolina Emergency Management requested the deployment of its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team after reports of an explosion and collapse at the facility in Hertford County. Initial reports indicated that individuals may have been trapped or missing inside the structure.
Officials confirmed that an eight-story grain tower had collapsed.
NC Task Force 10 — a Type IV USAR team comprised of members from Greenville Fire/Rescue and New Bern Fire/Rescue — was immediately deployed to the scene. The team is a specialized, smaller-scale task force designed for rapid response to local or regional disasters, typically focusing on light-to-moderate structural collapses and non-structural entrapments. They offer essential search and rescue capabilitie.
A total of 24 team members responded and were conducting search operations for one confirmed worker who was inside the building at the time of the collapse at the time of this report.
In addition to search efforts, USAR personnel are assisting local fire departments with logistical support. A medical specialist has been embedded with the team to monitor and ensure the safety of first responders operating in what officials described as a complex and potentially hazardous environment.
“Please keep everyone involved in your thoughts as this complex operation continues,” Greenville Fire/Rescue officials said in a statement. Updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The incident occurred at the Perdue feed mill facility located on Perdue Road in Cofield. In a statement, Hertford County Government confirmed that county emergency responders arrived promptly and remain on site.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of facility employees, first responders, and nearby residents,” the county said. Officials added that Hertford County is working in close coordination with Perdue and partner agencies as the situation continues to be assessed and managed.
Crews remained actively engaged Saturday as officials worked to gather additional details. Authorities have not yet released information about the cause of the explosion or the structural failure.
The Cofield facility plays a significant role in the region’s agricultural economy. In a February 2022 post, Perdue Agribusiness highlighted the scale of operations at the site, noting that its team in Cofield moves roughly 24 million bushels of grain through the facility each year.
As search operations continue, officials are urging patience from the public and emphasizing that confirmed information will be released as it becomes available.
This is a developing story.
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