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2023 LaSalle chemical plant fire

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LaSalle Fire
EPA photo of burned area
LocationCarus, 1500 8th St, La Salle, IL 61301[1]
Coordinates41°20′12″N 89°05′09″W / 41.336632°N 89.085968°W / 41.336632; -89.085968
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuries0 – 2 (reports vary)[2]
FootageExplosions, massive fire reported at La Salle chemical plant Wednesday on YouTube

At around 9 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the Carus Chemical plant in La Salle, Illinois, was involved in a major fire.[3][4] The plant, which is located about 90 miles (140 km) from Chicago and 80 miles (130 km) from the Quad Cities and was used for manufacturing water treatment products, caught fire.[5][6] Residents in communities near the plant reported hearing sounds of explosions before and during the fire.[7][8] Employees were evacuated from the premises, and a shelter in place order was announced for the wards of the city downwind of the fire.[9][10] The shelter in place was originally going to be lifted at 3 pm,[11] but was not officially lifted until 5 pm.[12][13]

A "green substance" was reported to be on surfaces around the site following the incident,[14] and residents were warned not to touch it.[15][16][17] It was later revealed to be an oxidizer from the chemical plant.[18] A statement was released by the La Salle Police Department saying that the chemicals could be "deactivated" with a mix of water, hydrogen peroxide, and vinegar.[19][20] The substance was later identified as potassium permanganate.[21][22]

The fire chief of La Salle, Jerry Janick, had a media meeting around noon on the 11th where he stated he could not confirm reports of explosions, but did reiterate that all employees were safe from the blaze.[23][24][25] On the same day at 1:00 pm, the company that operated the plant, Carus LLC (Carus Group Inc.), officially announced the fire was "under control", and confirmed that all employees had escaped safely and been accounted for.[26]

Background

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Carus is a family-owned chemicals company that had operated in La Salle for over 100 years. Carus Chemical was the second-largest employer in La Salle as of 2013.[27]

After the fire, CBS Chicago researched the company's past complaints and uncovered that they had been investigated by the Illinois State EPA for multiple violations since 2019, but no further action was taken after the plant agreed to fix the problems.[28]

Cause

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The cause of the fire remained unknown through January and February as investigations were underway. Carus LLC announced on January 30 that they had hired a third-party consultant to determine the root.[29][30] The cause of the fire was revealed on March 30 when Carus posted a press release stating they had determined it was caused by friction between a forklift and spilled potassium permanganate.[31][32] They determined chemicals had spilled from a supersac while being transported to a truck, and ignited when a forklift moved pallets around it.[33][34][35]

Response

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The fire started from a container in the shipping area and spread to become a four-alarm fire,[36] with the La Salle Fire Department receiving assistance from nearby agencies including the Peru, Illinois fire department and LaSalle County emergency management teams.[37][38]

Videos of the flames were shared on Storyful and later used in news reports of the incident.[39][40] Some social media videos showed flames shooting into the sky, and a plume of smoke and steam that could be seen for miles.[41][42]

Impact

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During the fire, over one million pounds of chemicals were burned.[43] Following the fire, it was determined that the Carus warehouse needed to be torn down.[44]

Carus opened a community hotline later on the 11th for community members to call for information about the fire and guidance on cleaning up property damaged by the fire and debris.[45][46][47] Initial news reports said zero workers and one firefighter were reported to be injured from the incident,[48][49] No update was published on the firefighter's condition, but later reports announced zero injuries.[50][51][52]

The city announced on the 11th that the school district would continue operations as normal on the following day, and that it was safe to return to work.[53]

As part of the cleanup process, the Illinois EPA started testing the air quality to make sure it was safe to breathe as residents were concerned that the air quality might not be safe due to chemical released from the plant.[54][55][56] Although there was a shelter-in-place order during the burning, there was never an order for residents to wear masks due to air quality concerns. The air quality was determined to be safe to breathe within a day after the fire.[57][58]

The United States EPA also tested the air quality in locations around town and made sure the nearby Little Vermilion River was not contaminated.[59]

References

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  1. ^ Schulte, Sarah; Nagy, Liz (January 11, 2023). "Shelter in place lifted after La Salle chemical plant fire; residents warned to avoid green residue". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2023-01-15. La Salle fire erupts at Carus Chemical plant after possible explosion; nearby residents asked to shelter in place
    Massive fire erupts at Illinois chemical plant. ABC 7 Chicago. January 11, 2023 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Officials: No Injuries in Fire at Illinois Chemical Plant". January 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Clifford, Tyler (2023-01-11). "Fire rages at Illinois chemical plant, residents ordered to shelter". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  4. ^ "SKY 5 Over Massive Fire Reported at LaSalle Chemical Plant". NBC Chicago. January 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Chemical plant catches fire in La Salle IL; employees, residents evacuate". WIFR. La Salle. CBS Chicago. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  6. ^ "Fire Erupts at Chemical Plant in Illinois". MyStateline.com. January 11, 2023. Fire Erupts at Chemical Plant in Illinois.
  7. ^ Clark, John (January 11, 2023). "Explosions, massive fire reported at La Salle chemical plant Wednesday". MyStateline.com. La Salle. WTVO. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
    "Explosions, massive fire reported at La Salle chemical plant Wednesday". MyStateline.com. January 11, 2023. Explosions, massive fire reported at La Salle chemical plant Wednesday.
    "Massive fire reported at La Salle chemical plant Wednesday". MyStateline.com. January 11, 2023. Massive fire reported at La Salle chemical plant Wednesday.
  8. ^ Sorace, Stephen (January 11, 2023). "Massive fire erupts at Carus Chemical plant in Illinois following reported explosion". Fox News. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  9. ^ Schulte, Sarah; Nagy, Liz (January 11, 2023). "Shelter in place lifted after La Salle chemical plant fire; residents warned to avoid green residue". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2023-01-15. La Salle fire erupts at Carus Chemical plant after possible explosion; nearby residents asked to shelter in place
  10. ^ Medlin, Peter (January 11, 2023). "LaSalle residents shelter in place after Carus chemical factory fire". NPR Illinois.
  11. ^ "Shelter in Place Continues After Blaze at Chemical Plant in La Salle; No Injuries Reported". wandtv.com. NBC Chicago. January 11, 2023.
  12. ^ "La Salle chemical fire: Residents concerned about 'green substance' falling from fire". FOX 32 Chicago. January 12, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  13. ^ "Shelter in Place Lifted After Blaze at Chemical Plant in La Salle; No Injuries Reported". NBC Chicago. January 11, 2023. Shelter in Place Continues Following Blaze at Chemical Plant in La Salle
  14. ^ Doak, Olivia (January 11, 2023). "Homes of La Salle residents covered in 'green' substance from Carus Chemical fire". Shaw Local. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  15. ^ "Massive fire erupts at Illinois chemical plant". CBS News. January 11, 2023.
    Machi, Sara (January 11, 2023). "LaSalle neighbors say particles were left all over everything after chemical plant fire". CBS Chicago. LaSalle. CBS. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  16. ^ Swidler, Francie; Fisher, Alex (January 11, 2023). "Officials Urge LaSalle Residents Not to Touch Green Substance Released During Fire at Chemical Plant". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2023-01-15. Officials Tell LaSalle Residents Not to Touch Green Substance Released in Carus Fire
  17. ^ "Residents warned about green residue from La Salle chemical plant". WLS – Chicago (ABC Chicago). January 11, 2023 – via Yahoo News.
  18. ^ "'Do NOT Touch': What's That Green Stuff Raining Down in La Salle? Officials Explain". NBC Chicago. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  19. ^ "Shelter in Place Remains in Effect Following Fire at La Salle Chemical Plant". NBC Chicago. La Salle. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  20. ^ Swidler, Francie; Fisher, Alex (January 11, 2023). "Officials Urge LaSalle Residents Not to Touch Green Substance Released During Fire at Chemical Plant". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2023-01-15. Officials Tell LaSalle Residents Not to Touch Green Substance Released in Carus Fire
  21. ^ Medina, Andrea; Smith, Andrew (January 12, 2023). "Clean-up continues in La Salle after Carus Chemical plant explosion". WGN-TV. La Salle.
  22. ^ "Sierra Club senior toxics policy advisor weighs in on LaSalle chemical fire". CBS Chicago. January 11, 2023 – via Yahoo News. Sierra Club CBS Chicago [YouTube
  23. ^ McDonagh, Rob (January 11, 2023). "Residents near Illinois chemical plant warned not to touch green substance released during fire". KSNT.com. La Salle. KSNT.
  24. ^ "LaSalle Fire Department gives update on chemical plant fire". MyStateline.com. January 11, 2023. LaSalle Fire Department gives update on chemical plant fire.
  25. ^ Collins, Tom (January 11, 2023). "Video: La Salle fire chief says Carus Chemical fire is contained, all workers accounted for". Shaw Local. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  26. ^ Anzelc, JoLynn. "Carus LLC Fire News Updates". Carus LLC. Peru. Carus LLC Confirms Fire Under Control at Plant. Archived from the original on Feb 4, 2023.
  27. ^ "City of LaSalle Comprehensive Plan: State of the City Report" (PDF). LaSalle, Illinois. August 16, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  28. ^ Tucker, Dorothy (January 11, 2023). "Digging into regulators' records at the Carus Chemical plant, where fire raged". CBS Chicago.
  29. ^ Doak, Olivia (Jan 30, 2023). "Carus in La Salle hires consultant to investigate cause of chemical fire". News-Tribune. Shaw Local. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  30. ^ Written at LaSalle. "LaSalle chemical plant fire's cause still a mystery". 25 News Now. Peoria, IL. 25 News Now. 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  31. ^ Swingel, Ashley (11 January 2023). "Carus LLC Fire News Updates". Carus LLC. Carus LLC Determines Cause of January 11 Fire.
  32. ^ "Carus LLC determines cause of January fire". Mendota Reporter. Apr 4, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  33. ^ Aitken, Jeremy (Mar 30, 2023). "Carus Spells Out Events It Believes Led To Fire". WLPO 1039. lcbcradio.com. Retrieved 2023-05-15 – via starvedrock.media.
  34. ^ Devine, Steven (Mar 30, 2023). "Carus LLC says friction cause January chemical plant fire". The Voice of LaSalle County since 1952!. NRG Media. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  35. ^ "Carus LLC says cause of fire was friction of forklift and pallet". WGLC. Mar 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  36. ^ "Large fire erupts at La Salle chemical plant". wqad.com. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  37. ^ Franza, Sabrina; Perlman, Marissa; Habermehl, Kris (January 12, 2023). "Extra-alarm fire guts chemical plant in LaSalle". CBS Chicago. LaSalle. CBS.
  38. ^ "Carus chemical plant on fire in LaSalle". CBS Chicago. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15 – via Yahoo News. [YouTube
  39. ^ Storyful (January 11, 2023). "Fire Erupts at Chemical Plant in Illinois". Storyful – via Yahoo News.
  40. ^ Storyful (January 11, 2023). "Residents Near Illinois Chemical Plant Warned Not to Touch Green Substance Released During Fire". Storyful – via Yahoo News.
    Storyful (January 12, 2023). "Residents Near Illinois Chemical Plant Warned Not to Touch Green Substance Released During Fire". Herald Sun.
    Storyful (January 12, 2023). "Fire Erupts at Chemical Plant in Illinois". Herald Sun.
    Storyful (January 12, 2023). "Fire Erupts at Chemical Plant in Illinois". Daily Telegraph.
    "Residents Near Illinois Chemical Plant Warned Not to Touch Green Substance Released During Fire". MyStateline.com. January 11, 2023. Residents Near Illinois Chemical Plant Warned Not to Touch Green Substance Released During Fire.
    McDonagh, Rob (January 11, 2023). "Residents near Illinois chemical plant warned not to touch green substance released during fire". KSNT.com. La Salle. KSNT.
  41. ^ Massive Fire Erupts At A Chemical Plant In Illinois | Illinois Chemical Plant Fire | English News. CNN-News18. January 11, 2023 – via YouTube.
  42. ^ "Massive fire erupts at Illinois chemical plant". CBS News. January 11, 2023 – via Yahoo News. CBS News
  43. ^ "La Salle chemical plant: More than 1M lbs of chemicals destroyed; no health risks found, EPA says". ABC7 Chicago. January 19, 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-17. Illinois chemical plant explosion: EPA finds no health risks to residents, Carus expects cleanup to be complete by next week
  44. ^ Lisitza, Sean (2023-01-19). "Latest update on the Carus fire". CIProud.com. La Salle. WMBD. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  45. ^ Anzelc, JoLynn (January 2023). "Carus LLC Fire News Updates". Carus LLC. Peru. UPDATE (January 11, 2023 5:30 pm).
  46. ^ "Guidance for Animals Impacted by the LaSalle Chemical Fire" (PDF). Illinois Department of Agriculture.
  47. ^ Henson, Tom; Aitken, Jeremy; JS2 (January 12, 2023). "Fire Out But Carus Chemical Plant Still An Active Scene". WLPO 1039. lcbcradio.com. Retrieved 2023-01-15 – via starvedrock.media.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  48. ^ "Massive chemical plant fire breaks out in La Salle". wqad.com. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  49. ^ Doak, Olivia (January 11, 2023). "'We're thankful nobody got hurt,' police chief says of Carus Chemical fire in La Salle". Shaw Local. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  50. ^ "Officials: No injuries reported in fire at Illinois chemical plant; blaze contained". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15. No injuries in fire at La Salle, Illinois chemical plant
  51. ^ Martinez, Gina (January 11, 2023). "Massive fire at Illinois chemical plant contained, no injuries reported". CBS News. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  52. ^ "La Salle fire: Workers evacuated, no injuries reported after chemical plant fire". FOX 32 Chicago. January 11, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  53. ^ Swidler, Francie (January 11, 2023). "Massive Fire Reported at La Salle Chemical Plant; Residents Asked to 'Shelter in Place'". NBC Chicago. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  54. ^ Pathieu, Diane; Kawash, Maher (January 12, 2023). "Cleanup begins after La Salle fire as residents voice concerns about chemicals in air". ABC7 Chicago. La Salle. WLS. Retrieved 2023-01-15. Carus chemical explosion: La Salle, Illinois residents voice concerns after massive fire spews apparent chemicals in air
    "Cleanup begins after La Salle fire as residents voice concerns about chemicals in air". ABC Chicago. January 12, 2023 – via Yahoo News.
  55. ^ "EPA testing air quality after chemical plant fire in LaSalle". CBS Chicago. January 12, 2023 – via Yahoo News.
  56. ^ "EPA Monitoring Air After Chemical Plant Fire in La Salle". NBC Chicago. January 12, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  57. ^ "Investigation into La Salle Chemical Plant Fire Continues". NBC Chicago. La Salle. January 12, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  58. ^ Sanders, Demetrios; Lisitza, Sean (January 12, 2023). "Crews continue to work after major Chemical fire in La Salle". CIProud.com. La Salle. WMBD. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  59. ^ "Cleanup begins following chemical plant fire in La Salle". FOX 32 Chicago. January 13, 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
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