1 dead, 2 missing as 'ground-shaking’ explosion levels Illinois silicone plant (VIDEOS)
A massive ground-shaking explosion rocked a suburb north of Chicago on Friday night as a building was leveled by a mysterious blast that claimed at least one life.
The explosion took place at about 9pm at the AB Specialty Silicone plant in Waukegan, 40 miles north of Chicago. One fatality has been confirmed, two people are missing and four others were injured in the blast. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office warned residents to stay away from the area.
We are aware of a very loud explosion sound and ground shaking in the Gurnee area. We are working to determine the cause. If you have first-hand knowledge of the incident please call your local law-enforcement. If you’re not in danger and don’t have info, please don’t call 911.
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) May 4, 2019
Again, Sunset Ave is closed from Green Bay to Dealny Rd in Waukegan - allow the first-responders to conduct operations. Additional info will come from Waukegan Police/Fire. STAY OUT OF THE AREA!! pic.twitter.com/bnAfehNJtr
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) May 4, 2019
Employees were working inside the building at the time of the blast. Waukegan Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi said several workers are unaccounted for, Lake and McHenry County Scanner reports. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
You can hear the factory plant explosion in this.. just happened a few minutes ago in Gurnee.. pic.twitter.com/VAIC9pE7FI
— BL🌸🌸M (@leeblooms) May 4, 2019
Sir Please find the footage from my outdoor cam pic.twitter.com/YgIdWPaeTG
— Bhushan (@ibhushanjoshi) May 4, 2019
Was putting my little@one to sleep and my entire house shook! Her room door rattled crazy!
— Fernanda Cury-Mattos (@FFCM7) May 4, 2019
Witnesses told local media they heard a “loud boom” and saw the building “engulfed in flames.”
“It was leveled,” local Megan Hener, who lives six blocks from the blast, said. “It shook our house and shook my insides.”
Holy pic.twitter.com/aqbGpIoEZ4
— Jacid Pradriguez (@JacidJr) May 4, 2019
— Ace (@TimG58) May 4, 2019
Videos shared on social media capture the moment of the blast, and show a massive blaze with a huge cloud of smoke overhead.
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