Illinois Firefighters Battle Chemical Fire

July 22, 2010
Firefighters responded to a call Wednesday, July 21, 2010 regarding a tank filled with 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of asphalt, used oil and mineral spirits that caught fire and injured one person, according to The Daily Chronicle.The call came in at about 12:30 p.m. and firefighters responded to the Right Pointe Company, which manufactures construction materials, for a report of an active structure fire, DeKalb Fire Chief Bruce Harrison told the newspaper.

Firefighters responded to a call Wednesday, July 21, 2010 regarding a tank filled with 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of asphalt, used oil and mineral spirits that caught fire and injured one person, according to The Daily Chronicle.

The call came in at about 12:30 p.m. and firefighters responded to the Right Pointe Company, which manufactures construction materials, for a report of an active structure fire, DeKalb Fire Chief Bruce Harrison told the newspaper.

Becase the incident involved hazardous materials, it required particular tactics. "When you put out a fire like this, you have to put out the right product at the right rate at the right time," Harrison added.

It reportedly took four hours for firefighters to control the blaze, and crews also worked to isolate and assess the runoff.

The Daily Chronicle reports that the injured man, believed to be an employee, was taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb to be treated for burns.

Fire crews responded from Aurora, Batavia, Burlington, Cortland, Elburn, Firmilab, Geneva, Genoa-Kingston, Hampshire, Hinckley, Kaneville, Kirkland, Malta, Maple Park, North Aurora, St. Charles, Shabbona, Sugar Grove, Sycamore and Waterman.

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