Hot Spot Still Smolders at Plant Explosion Site

The silicone factory explosion killed four workers earlier this month.

Ab
AP Photo

WAUKEGAN, ILL. (AP) — Fire officials say a hot spot continues to smolder at the site of a northern Illinois silicone factory explosion that killed four workers earlier this month.

Waukegan Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi tells The (Waukegan) News-Sun on Wednesday that the hot spot "presents no immediate hazard."

Lenzi says the spot contains chemical products that are still reacting.

He says firefighters have put dry extinguisher on the spot but can't work on it yet because U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board investigators are concentrating on the area. 

Four men died after the May 3 the explosion at AB Speciality Silcones. 

Lenzi says members of the public have reported puffs of smoke "now and then."

The newspaper reports crews will extinguish the area when investigators are done unless it burns out first.

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