Huge Fire at Chemical Factory in Illinois

Rockton, Illinois —(Map)

A fire at a chemical factory in Rockton, Illinois has been burning since early Monday morning. Fire fighters have decided to let the fire burn itself out, which could take days. For safety, people living near the factory have been moved away.

A factory run by Chemtool, Inc. caught fire around 7 a.m. on Monday morning. It’s not clear what caused the fire. People nearby say they heard several explosions before the fire began. Fire fighters rushed to the factory and helped get all 70 workers out safely.

A fire at a chemical factory in Rockton, Illinois has been burning since early Monday morning. Fire fighters have decided to let the fire burn itself out, which could take days. For safety, people living near the factory have been moved away.

Chemtool is reported to be the largest maker of grease in the US. Chemtool is owned by a company called Lubrizol. The Rockton plant made grease and other similar products.

The fire quickly caused huge clouds of dark black smoke to rise from the factory. Soon, the smoke cloud was so large it could be seen from as far as 75 miles (120 kilometers) away.

The smoke cloud was so large it could be seen from as far as 75 miles (120 kilometers) away. Around 1,000 people who live within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of the factory were ordered to evacuate. Later, the evacuation area was expanded.

Around 1,000 people who live within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of the factory were ordered to evacuate on Monday. Later, the evacuation area was expanded to anyone who lived within two miles (3.2 kilometers) of the factory. A special shelter has been set up at a nearby middle school.

Because the fire is so huge, fire fighters from many different fire departments have come to help. On Monday, around 45 different fire departments were involved. By Tuesday, that number had grown to 84. The governor has also called out the Illinois National Guard to help with the situation.

Because the fire is so huge, fire fighters from many different fire departments have come to help. On Monday, around 45 different fire departments were involved. By Tuesday, that number had grown to 84. Above, fire fighters in Rockton on Monday.

One of the biggest concerns about the fire is keeping the oil and other chemicals from the factory from winding up in the town’s water supply. The Chemtool factory is only about 330 yards (300 meters) away from the Rock River.

The head of Rockton’s fire department, Kirk Wilson, said that fire fighters are being careful. “We don’t want an environmental nightmare to occur,” he said.

One of the biggest concerns about the fire is keeping the oil and other chemicals from the factory from winding up in the town’s water supply. The Chemtool factory is only about 330 yards (300 meters) away from the Rock River.

Concerns about polluting the nearby water were part of the decision to let the chemicals “burn off”. Fighting the fire with too much water could wash the chemicals into the river. There is also special foam for fighting fires, but some kinds of fire-fighting foam also contain dangerous chemicals.

Lubrizol says it has hired a company called US Fire Pump to manage the fire. US Fire Pump has experience in working with fires at oil factories and has been involved in many cleanup operations.

In order to prevent any chemicals from the plant winding up in the river, ditches have been dug between the factory and Rock River. Floating “booms” have been placed on the river to stop the spread of chemicals, just in case any pollution from the factory reaches the river.

Health experts say that right now the pollution from the fire doesn’t appear to be too bad. But the US Environmental Protection Agency will need to check pollution levels in the air, water, and land once the fire is out.

For now, the government is asking everyone within 3 miles of the factory to wear a mask just to be safe.