10 Hurt, 2 Pulled From Rubble After Possible Methane Blast: CFD

CHICAGO, IL — At least ten people — including two workers who had to be pulled from the rubble after a roof collapsed — were hurt in an explosion Thursday morning at Calumet Water Reclamation Plant on Chicago's far Southeast Side. During a press briefing Thursday afternoon, Chicago Fire Department officials said rescuers tunneled 40 feet to get to two trapped workers, including one man who was at risk of amputation after becoming pinned by a large beam.

Officials said the blast occurred at around 11 a.m. at a sludge concentration building, resulting in a partial roof collapse and falling concrete at the plant. The explosion may be the result of a methane blast, one fire official said.

"It was a very dangerous situation," said William Vogt, a deputy district chief for the Chicago Fire Department.

Two rescue teams worked in tandem to rescue the workers. Fire officials said it took about 20 minutes to get to one trapped employee, while the rescue of the other took nearly two hours and required crews to tunnel 40 feet down, six feet under the site of the collapse. Two paramedics were sent down to tend to the man and start an IV on him, and crews were in touch with staff at the University of Chicago Hospital, who gave instructions to prevent the man from going into shock, according to officials.

Officials said the man suffered a broken jaw and badly fractured leg, but crews worked to ensure his leg would not have to be amputated.

According to WLS, parts of the collapsed structure were unsafe as rescue crews are currently on scene in the 400 block of E. 130th Street.

On Twitter, the Chicago Fire Department ordered media helicopters to leave the area, saying the noise was making it difficult to hear people who may be trapped in the collapsed building.

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