ROCKTON, Ill. — Firefighters have contained the fire that consumed a chemical plant in northern Illinois Monday morning, forcing the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses in Rockton.
Rockton Fire Chief Kirk Wilson said Wednesday that even though the fire had been contained, people should still not go back into the area.
“I cannot give the OK to lift the order of evacuation, so it will remain in effect,” Wilson said.
Personnel from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Office of State Fire Marshal, the Illinois National Guard, Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army responded to the fire early Monday morning.
Wilson has not said when people within a two mile radius of the Chemtool facility would be able to return.
