Chemical Incident In Channahon: Fire District Gives Update

CHANNAHON — The Channahon Fire Protection District announced that crews responded to a chemical incident at 26332 Frontage Road. At the scene, Americas Styrenics employees informed fire crews they were cooling a rail car containing a chemical material that was experiencing a thermal event.

According to the press release, Wednesday's incident began around 11 p.m, and the Channahon Fire District was summoned to assist with the cooling operation.

Fire crews set up large volume master streams and handlines to assist with cooling the railcar and vapor suppression. Hazardous Materials Technicians from Division 15 Hazardous Materials Response Team were requested to the scene to establish air quality monitoring around the property of Americas Styrenics.

There is no immediate threat to the life and safety of the public, Channahon Fire Chief John Petrakis noted in his press release.

Still, people are asked to avoid the area for security reasons as emergency response team members continue to provide cooling to slow the reaction inside of the railcar.

The condition within the railcar is improving and is under constant evaluation by the emergency response team. Notifications to the Will County Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and Illinois Emergency Management Agency have been made.