The Angels.- A strong chemical explosion in a industrial plant RocktonIllinois caused the eviction of hundreds of people on Monday due to an “extraordinary threat to life or property,” the local Police Department reported.
“We ordered a mandatory evacuation due to an industrial fire at (the company’s plant) Chemtool for all residents and businesses immediately south (of the area),” the Rockton Police Department said on Twitter.
After the explosion, a fire started around 7:30 a.m. local time, causing large flames and columns of dark smoke, according to videos broadcast on social networks.
According to authorities, residents within a 1.6-kilometer radius of ChemtoolThey were forced to evacuate the area due to a “possible release of hazardous chemicals” in the fire.
My first time capturing an explosion from the air! We were doing our final pass on the scene in @WGNMorningNews #Skycam9 when this happened at what was already an out of control fire at Chemtool in Rockton, IL. Heading back up for the live 11am show. Tune in! pic.twitter.com/x8KU4lHeYH
– Craig Shimala (shicshimala) June 14, 2021
In a statement, the company Chemtool -which manufactures lubricants that are distributed throughout the world- confirmed that all those who were on site at the time of the explosion “are safe and accounted for”.
“Our concern at this time is for the safety of all of our employees and the surrounding community,” they said.
Local media also did not report any injuries.
About the origin of the explosion, Chemtool He assured that his risk management team is working with the local authorities to determine what happened and identify the actions that can be carried out to correct these events.
Videos of the explosion have been posted on social media.
Happening now: Rockton Chemtool explosion causes a major fire, smoke at a chemical plant in Illinois pic.twitter.com/KAC0UUHs7n
— _Imposter_ (@Imposter_Edits) June 14, 2021
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