Massive Explosion seen at Rockton, IL's Chemtool plant.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Mon Jun 14, 2021, 04:46 PM - Edit history (2)

MASSIVE EXPLOSION seen at Rockton, IL's Chemtool plant. (Courtesy: WLS). LATEST: https://mystateline.com/news/local-news/crews-battling-fire-at-rockton-manufacturing-plant/

Link to tweet

Just for some perspective on the Chemtool fire...this is the cloud from about 13 miles away near N. 2nd St. and River Ln.

Link to tweet

Eyewitness News WTVO/WQRF Retweeted

Time lapse of the massive smoke plume created by the #Chemtool fire as seen from Beloit, WI.

This begins at 8AM this morning.
@MyStateline

@CandiceKing

@themcconicowire

Link to tweet

Pritzker activates National Guard, IEPA to respond to Rockton Chemtool fire https://bit.ly/35hkxs5

Link to tweet

[murielm99]

1. I am aware that the fire can be picked up on Doppler radar.

I can see the black cloud from my house. It is fifty miles northeast of me.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Yikes. NT

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. Firefighters are some brave people man ... imagine trying to put out a fire at a place called

Chemtools?

Hope their Haz Mat reports to the Fire Department are up-to-date and everyone stays safe.

[murielm99]

6. They are not putting it out.

They are monitoring the fire and letting it burn itself out.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

7. I guess I'm not well-versed in the tactics, when I saw FF's shooting those huge streams of water

(or whatever is in those streams) in the direction of the flames in the first picture there, I just assumed the goal was to put out the fire.

They're still pretty brave though.

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. They were afraid that chemical runoff would pollute the Rock River, so stopped using water.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. Sounds prudent! nt

[bbernardini]

4. You should try to find a tweet about it that's not from a known fascist. Nt

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. Good idea. I went to the source. The videos are better, and there are more of them. Thanks. NT

[raising2moredems]

10. Happened not far from me

We're about 6 miles from the plant. Thankfully our kid wasn't at work yet. After kid was released from the "meet up" area, we watched the live coverage together. The company had regular safety drills and IMHO, that is why no injuries or fatalities.
While I'm not at liberty to provide details re: the cause, I will say it was not due to lax policies or procedures.

[live love laugh]

11. The news said OSHA had inspected the plant recently.

I found that interesting.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Doesn't Necessarily Mean Much

Unless they're certified VPP (voluntary protection program) status, OSHA routinely visits chemical operations.
In fact, if they have the track record, they could apply for VPP, which requires several visits and a systems audit from OSHA.
After that, a VPP company is trusted to self-manage their safety systems, because they've proven to a high standard, that they don't need much monitoring. VPP Star status is very difficult & a lot of work to attain. But, for big outfits, it's worth the effort.
OSHA can still invite themselves (very unusual with a VPP site), but they agree on no surprise visits.
So, OSHA being there might actually be a good thing.
That said, it is unlikely they'd get VPP (any elevated status) for a while, even though workplace casualties were low to nonexistent.
The environmental impact and asset impact tells me they've got more EPA & Factory Mutual visits in their future than OSHA inspections.

[raising2moredems]

14. Unrelated to the fire issue

Kid didn't go into details but said it was not unrelated.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Just So You Know...

...under Right-To-Know (RTK), there are no secrets allowed to be kept from the public.
At 6 miles away, you'd fall under the umbrella of RTK, even for a site much smaller than this ChemTool site.
There's no information which you are not at liberty to disclose. Such information literally doesn't exist.

[raising2moredems]

15. sigh..

I might suggest you work for Faux News. During the active investigation of the cause of the fire, I prefer to let the proper agencies and company do their jobs. And provide the official report of the investigation.

[ProfessorGAC]

16. Then Be Wrong

Fine with me.
RTK laws are very clear & obvious.
Besides, I made ZERO mention of a cause. I speculated on nothing. The poster to which I replied wasn't offering a cause either.
So, you might to watch where you throw your sighs! Your reply to me is a non sequitur.
When you've worked in 150+ chemical facilities worldwide, we'll compare notes.
Until then...

[raising2moredems]

17. Geez... are you too a snowflake?

What the kid told me is exactly what was reported. Bad news for all the hope-2-get-rich. And to the lawyer in the town FAR EAST of the plant - perhaps you should question the dry cleaners less than 50 feet from a gas station. Those looking to line their pockets are likely to be disappointed.
You are truly full of excrement - 150+ chemical facilities? Doubt it, highly doubt it. You're falling into the "may people have told me" category. I too have worked for a chemical company.