IL Chemical Plant Explosion Injures 2: Authorities

OTTAWA, IL — Two employees were injured Tuesday in an explosion at a chemical plant in Ottawa, according to authorities.

The Ottawa Fire Department responded around 8 a.m. to Coogee Chemical in the 1500 block of Titanium Drive and arrived to find smoke coming from a large structure on the property, authorities said.

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“Fire suppression crews identified the source of the incident as a magnesium fire,” the fire department said in a news release.

“Based on pre-incident planning and the known incompatibility of water with magnesium, crews utilized on-site industrial dry chemical extinguishing agents to bring the fire under control.”

The blaze was declared under control within minutes and was contained to the immediate area of origin, according to the department.

Both injured employees were taken to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, authorities said.

Route 6 was temporarily closed and nearby businesses in the industrial complex, as well as adjacent properties, were advised to shelter in place, according to the department.

Fire crews worked with Coogee Chemical staff to safely isolate and remove the remaining magnesium that had been treated with extinguishing agents, according to the department, which noted structural damage to the building was minimal.

Coogee Chemical suspended plant operations pending the outcome of an investigation, which was being undertaken with the assistance of the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“Early findings suggest the explosion may have been the result of equipment failure during a process involving the transfer of magnesium into a storage container,” the news release said.

“A malfunction in this system is believed to have allowed oxygen levels to increase, resulting in a reaction with the magnesium and causing the explosion.”