What does Chemtool make?
AN EXPLOSION at a Chemtool plant in Illinois on June 14 sparked massive fires that sent flames and huge plumes of thick black smoke high into the air. The plumes became so big they were picked up on weather radar. What does Chemtool make? Chemtool is a company that manufactures lubricants, grease products and other […]
AN EXPLOSION at a Chemtool plant in Illinois on June 14 sparked massive fires that sent flames and huge plumes of thick black smoke high into the air.
The plumes became so big they were picked up on weather radar.
What does Chemtool make?
Chemtool is a company that manufactures lubricants, grease products and other fluids, and is, according to the company, the largest manufacturer of grease in the Americas.
The company “offers a wide variety of lubricating greases to meet your needs,” according to Chemtool’s website.
“We formulate and manufacture greases that are used in a multitude of markets and applications.
“Our team of industry experts is driven by technology and innovation and is committed to excellence.”
The company was launched in 1963, and “conducts business domestically and internationally.”
What happened to Chemtool?
A Chamtool plant in Rockton, Illinois, was evacuated after an explosion sparked a massive fire.
Fire crews rushed to the Chemtool factory at around 7am local time after reports of smoke from the building.
Shocking footage showed the Illinois plant explode into flames as the air filled with thick black smoke that could be seen up to 25 miles away, according to WREX.
One firefighter was treated for injuries but about 70 staff members managed to escape from the building unharmed.
Employees described the yells of “fire” as the alarms went off shortly after they began work.
“Everybody that got us out of there – they were on top of it. We had plenty of time to get out. Everybody got out,” one employee told WTVO.
“It was pretty well organized. There’s a lot of grease, oil and fluids in there. It’s gonna burn for a while.
“If it was going to explode, it would’ve already done it. Those small explosions that everyone’s seeing are drums of fluid or grease.”
Fire Chief Kirk Wilson said that it could take several days for the oil-based fire to burn off.
Rockton Middle School and Roscoe Middle School were being used as shelters.
What caused the exposion?
It is unclear what caused the initial explosion.
It is also not clear if there were any hazardous chemicals involved.
One employee claimed that a pipe that pumps hot grease up to the ceiling from kettle to kettle broke.
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“This is the worst it’s ever, ever been,” he told WTVO.
“We’re just seeing a lot of hard work go up in flames. We’re all scared and wondering what we’re gonna do.”
The Lubrizol Corporation, which owns Chemtool, said in a statement it had not yet confirmed what was the cause of the fire.