Firefighters have gained the upper hand after battling a blaze at a magnesium factory in south suburban Blue Island overnight, but it appears the building is a total loss.
The fire was first reported around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Chicago Magnesium Casting Company in the 14000 block of Seeley Avenue in Blue Island.
“It’s a combustible metal, so yes, it’s making it hard. We’ve had a few explosions inside, but there’s been no report of injuries," Posen Fire Chief Jeff Cook told WGN.
Hazmat crews monitored the area, but so far no warnings have been issued to anyone who lives in the area.
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
