2 hurt in explosion, magnesium fire at Ottawa, Illinois chemical plant

Two people were injured in an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Ottawa, Illinois.

The Ottawa Fire Department said they were called to Coogee Chemical at 1501 Titanium Drive just before 8 a.m. for a reported explosion with injuries.

When they arrived a short time later, they found smoke coming from a structure on the property, which houses chemicals that are reactive to water.

Two employees were hurt in the explosion, the fire department said. One was still near the site of the explosion, while the other got themself out of the building and into a nearby office building.

Fire officials said they quickly identified the fire as a magnesium fire. They were able to find the hurt employee near the site and took both injured workers to a nearby hospital for treatment at about 8:25 a.m. Officials did not share information about their conditions.

Water cannot be used to fight a magnesium fire, so firefighters used dry chemical agents to extinguish the flames. The fire was brought under control by 8:15 a.m., and was contained to its original area. Fire officials said there was no further damage to the surrounding structure.

Fire officials said the building sustained minimal damage and Coogee Chemical has stopped plant operations pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.

Illinoi OSHA is assisting with the investigation. Fire officials said early findings suggest the explosion may have been caused by an equipment failure as magnesium was transferred to a storage container.

Magnesium can ignite when exposed oxygen; while the reaction produces magnesium oxide – which is safe and can be used to treat medical conditions like migraines and constipation – the exothermic reaction is strong and can produce explosions and magnesium fires. Magnesium fires are extremely dangerous, producing temperatures in excess of 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. They are difficult to put out and react violently to water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Fire officials said the initial investigation found oxygen sensors used in the plant's magnesium transfer, which is usually transferred using argon gas to prevent oxygen exposure, may have malfunctioned and the subsequent exposure to oxygen may have caused the explosion.

The investigation remains ongoing. No other injuries were reported.