Chemical Fire Flares up at Des Plaines Laboratory

No injuries were reported following a chemical fire that ignited at a laboratory in Des Plaines on Thursday. The Des Plaines Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at Abbott Molecular, 1300 E. Touhy Ave., at 12:23 p.m. on April 4, stated Fire Chief Alan Wax.

Firefighters located a fire in one of the laboratories in the east section of the building, Wax stated, and put it out with fire extinguishers about a half-hour after arriving on the scene.

While a technician was working with chemicals, the fumes were ignited, but the source of the ignition remained under investigation, Wax stated.

After the fumes ignited, nearby combustibles caught fire, Wax stated. The technician left the lab as the fire grew, and it activated the automatic sprinkler system, Wax stated, which also sent an alarm to the fire department.

The technician was evaluated medically, Wax stated, and was not injured or treated.

First responders from the Park Ridge Fire Department and the Rosemont Department of Public Safety assisted Des Plaines firefighters on the scene, Wax stated, while personnel and equipment from Elk Grove Village, Rosemont, Glenview and Arlington Heights was sent to stand-by at Des Plaines fire stations for other calls.

Property loss was estimated at $35,000.

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