Two employees suffered burns Thursday after a "small explosion" at an ethanol plant in Iowa, authorities said.

Around 5:36 p.m., Shenandoah Fire and Shenandoah Ambulance Service responded to Green Plains Ethanol Plant for a possible chemical exposure, officials said.

When crews arrived, they determined that two employees were working on a corn mash pump when there was an explosion from the pump and both suffered burns, Shenandoah Fire said.

The employees were treated and taken to Shenandoah Medical Center and then transported to a "higher level of care," authorities said.

In a statement, Green Plains confirmed two employees were injured while "performing equipment maintenance."

Shenandoah Fire said no chemicals were released into the environment, and there is no risk to the public.