Investigation underway after explosion, fire at Stickney-Cicero border chemical plant
An explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Cicero, Illinois, sent thick smoke into the air on Wednesday afternoon.
The situation prompted a response from hazmat crews.
Just before 7 p.m., fire crews from several cities rushed to the Koppers Plant at 3900 Laramie Ave. after something rocked the industrial facilities that process hazardous byproducts such as coal, tar, and petroleum sludge and converts it into usable chemical oil.
The plant sits on the Stickney-Cicero border, but thick smoke and flames were visible from miles away along the Stevenson Expressway. CBS SkyWatch captured the magnitude of what firefighters were up against.
A chemical was burning, and one silo was clearly torched as fire crews tried keeping it from jumping to other silos at the plant.
Investigators have not said what was inside, but a special hazmat team from O'Hare International Airport was brought in to assist in this emergency.
The fire has since been extinguished and investigators said no one inside the plant was injured, but at least two ambulances were seen racing from the scene.
Stickney Fire Chief Jeff Boyajian said the cause of the explosion remained under investigation Thursday afternoon, but he said the explosion was contained to one tank.
As for concerns about air quality and a chemical smell in the air, he said a hazardous materials team has sampled air all around the plant, including in Cicero, and found no hazards.
Residents were told earlier not to open the windows as the situation was being investigated. That order has since been lifted.
This incident isn't the first time Koppers has been under fire.
"The plant has a long history of environmental violations," said Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association, referring to EPA complaints and violations documented at the plant over the years. "It's had a long history of having unauthorized air pollution events that have endangered the community."
Urbaszewski said he would urge residents who live near the plant to follow what officials like the fire department are recommending, but also exercise caution around the plant.
"Because we're going into summer smog season, people should be aware that we're going to see more air pollution levels. They should pay attention to those notifications," he said.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has opened an investigation into the explosion.
The Koppers plant is set to close at the end of the year. The company that owns it did not respond to requests for information.
