Worker Sustains Serious Burn Injuries In Fire At McHenry County Plant

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A worker was seriously injured during a fire that broke out in a welding room at Unicarriers in Marengo Monday morning.

The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts was called to the blaze at about 10:05 a.m. at Unicarriers, 240 N. Prospect Street in Marengo, according to a news release. The building had already been evacuated when fire crews arrived.

The blaze was contained to the area of a machine and, while very hot, was extinguished within minutes of the alarm, according to the news release.

A male worker sustained serious burn injuries related to the incident and he was taken to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford for further care. No additional injuries were reported.

"We were very glad to see how quickly the facility evacuated and grateful that our crews arrived within minutes," said Craig Pleva, assistant fire chief for the Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts. "Our paramedics reached the patient quickly, began treatment right away, and transported him to Rockford so hospital staff could continue his care. Our priority was getting him the medical attention he needed as quickly as possible.”

The cause of the incident remains under investigation.