Explosion on Chicago's West Side
An explosion at a vegetable oil and biodiesel plant on Chicago’s West Side today left two people injured. According to a Fire Department spokesman, the two victims were taken to Stroger Hospital and others were being de-contaminated on the scene. The two victims reportedly were employees at the Columbus Foods Company in the 800 block of North Albany Avenue where the explosion occurred at 8:45 a.m.
According to officials, the blast occurred while chemicals were being mixed and a truck was being unloaded. One report stated that the Police Department's Bomb and Arson unit along with fire investigators are working to uncover what caused the explosion. All of the chemicals that were involved are not known, but nitrogen, sulfuric acid and glycerin are among those detected, according to Deputy Fire Commissioner Eugene Ryan.
The explosion disrupted other activities in the vicinity. Metra's Milwaukee District North and West Lines reportedly experienced delays. Also, 19 people from a Metra yard near the explosion were reportedly taken to hospitals with complaints of minor respiratory problems and skin irritation, fire officials said.
