There is a possible explosion at a chemical plant in North LaSalle Illinois, A shelter-in-place order has been issued for area residents.
Firefighters rushed to the scene after plumes of smoke rose above the plant following the blaze, which has been evacuated. WGN9 reported.
The fire broke out at Karus Chemical just after 9 am on Wednesday. Officials sent an emergency alert to residents in La Salle’s 3rd and 4th Wards to shelter in place.
The fire is classified as a 4-alarm fire, According to NBC Chicago.
LaSalle police said the “explosion” occurred in a shipping container at the plant, which is about 80 miles southwest of the Windy City.
Family-owned Carus, started in 1915, supplies “products and services for municipal water treatment, wastewater and air purification, and soil remediation,” The company site explains.
“There was a fire in the Kairas Chemical building. “Residents living nearby have been asked to shelter in place,” La Salle city officials said in a statement.
Police urged residents to avoid the green colored substance left after the incident.
“Attention LaSalle residents of the 3rd and 4th Wards, due to recent events, an oxidizer (which appears in green) has been released in the area. Do not touch this substance. nearby or at your place of residence it can be disabled Warning Told. “To deactivate it, you’ll need a 1:1:1 mix: 1 gallon water, 1 gallon peroxide, 1 gallon vinegar.”
The LaSalle – Peru Township High School District 120 said in a Facebook post that “As you may know, there was an explosion at the Caras Chemical Plant on the east side of LaSalle this morning. Our school campus is safe”.
“We have been in communication with local emergency services to determine the best course of action to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. We have been advised that at this time it is safe for school to continue as usual. The school management will monitor the situation. In case anything changes, we will inform the families at the earliest,” said the district.
There has reportedly been an explosion at a chemical plant in Illinois
(Screenshot / WGN9)
Fire Chief Jerry Janick said during a press conference on Wednesday that “at this time, the fire appears to be under control. We had no injuries and everyone was accounted for from the building. Right now, for precautionary reasons the north and west sides of the incident The city also has a shelter-in-place order for all residents living in. We will assess that soon.”
“And right now, we are still bringing in additional equipment to assist with the final extinguishment and investigation,” he said.
While the chief said the structure suffered significant damage, he was unable to confirm that an explosion had occurred.