Wisconsin Man Died From Illinois Chemical Plant Blast: Report

WAUKEGAN, IL — A Wisconsin resident has died as a result of the "ground-shaking" explosion at a Waukegan industrial chemical plant Friday night, according to officials and news reports.

Waukegan Fire Marshal Steven Lenzi said nine people were at the AB Specialty Silicones Plant at the time of the explosion. Of those, six were accounted for and three were missing shortly after the explosion. Four people were hospitalized and two others declined or did not need medical attention.

Officials said in a WISN-TV report that 29-year-old Allen Stevens of Salem in Kenosha County died from his injuries in a hospital burn unit.

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press was used in this report.

The plant is located at 3790 Sunset Avenue near the Gurnee border. At least five other buildings in the area were also damaged and early estimates say the damage will be in excess of $1 million. Lenzi said they have not received reports of any homes that sustained damage.

Lenzi told reporters at a Saturday news conference that authorities received a call for an explosion in the area around 9:30 p.m. First-arriving firefighters were met with heavy fire conditions. Lenzi said firefighters immediately began treating victims and began to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the explosion is unknown.

Crews were quickly overwhelmed and other neighboring departments had to be brought to help control the fire.

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press was used in this report.