ROCKTON, Ill. (KMOX) - Firefighters say it may take days to fully extinguish the flames coming out of the chemical plant that exploded in northern Illinois. The blast happened on Monday, causing an evacuation of everyone within two miles of the blast site.
Rockton Fire Chief Kirk Wilson says only one firefighter suffered a minor injury, but it's still a huge loss.
"We lost a very well-known business and our hearts are with those employees who are currently unemployed," Wilson says.
He says 70 employees were safely evacuated from the factory full of lubricants and machine grease. Wilson said firefighters had stopped using water to extinguish the blaze to prevent an "environmental nightmare" if the runoff were to enter the nearby Rock River.
Chemtool Inc. is located in about 95 northwest of Chicago and crews from the 40 or so fire departments in the area were called in to help
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)According to the Associated Press, the plant was inspected less than a month ago over a safety and health complaint. The case has remained open
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)The plant which manufactures lubricants, grease products and other fluids has had no other outstanding cases or any violations in U.S. records
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)One firefighter suffered a minor injury following the explosion, but no other injuries have been reported
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office expanded the evacuation zone "out of an abundance of caution" and encouraged people within the zone to wear masks to avoid inhaling soot
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Nearby residents reported pieces of cardboard and chunks of wood pallets falling from the sky
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)The plumes became so big they were being picked up on weather radar. Wilson said there was "no danger to air quality at ground level"
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
