Fire consumes US Chemtool grease plant

HOUSTON (ICIS)–A fire has consumed Lubrizol’s Chemtool grease plant in Rockton, Illinois, the fire chief said on Monday.

“The building is completely consumed,” said Kirk Wilson, Rockton fire chief. He made his comments during a press conference.

“It’s no longer standing,” Wilson said.

The fire at the plant was wind driven and fast moving, he said. Firefighters have decided to let the product at the plant burn off to prevent it from escaping into the environment.

This could take several days, Wilson said. “That’s the best thing we can do right now. We don’t want an environmental nightmare to occur.”

Firefighters had responded at 700 hours local time (1200 hours GMT), Lubrizol said.

Lubrizol does not know what caused the fire, and it did not disclose the extent of the blaze. An evacuation zone has been declared within a 1-mile (1.6-km) radius of the site.

Lubrizol said all employees are safe and accounted for.

Local television station WIFR shows smoke billowing from a building.

Chemtool makes greases and metalworking fluids. Both are made with base oils.

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