PHOTOS: Illinois firefighters to let chemical plant continue burning for 'days' after explosion
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.
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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.
