A dangerous fire has erupted overnight at the Chicago Magnesium Casting Company in Dixmoor, Illinois. Due to the large magnitude and scale of the fire there was significant damage which led to multiple fire departments converging at the scene.
The fire started around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday which led to rapid response from more than 80 firefighters across several south suburban departments. The fire crews continuously worked for more than 6 hours to extinguish the flames and contain the whole hazardous situation.
Challenges Faced by Firefighters
Firefighters encountered major challenges while battling the fire due to the highly combustible magnesium and other materials present in the facility.
The challenges faced by the firefighters were very high due to the highly combustible magnesium and other materials present in the facility. This made it hard for the firefighters to control the fire. The laddered trucks from the fire departments sprayed water from the above and the ground crews worked towards stopping the spread of the fire. However, due to the presence of the magnesium the firefighting efforts became more difficult as magnesium reacts explosively with water.
Posen Fire Chief Jeff Cook described the intense situation, stating:
“Magnesium reacts with water, so that makes it a challenge. We had quite a few different explosions happening inside the building due to that chemical reaction. We were able to contain it, but it was one of the big issues.”
Despite the severity of the fire, no injuries were reported. However, the plant was declared a total loss.
Explosions and Hazards on Site
There were lots of different explosions reported inside the factory throughout the night which further made it hard for firefighters to control the situation.
The plant was the home to several combustible materials that were at high risk of catching fire.
Environmental and Safety Concerns
Owing to the toxic nature of the fire and burning magnesium the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was called to the site to monitor air quality and water runoff.
The plant is surrounded by various industries and residential areas which further raises concern for environmental hazards. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, and investigations are currently underway.
While firefighters successfully prevented the fire from spreading beyond the facility, the complete destruction of the plant marks a significant loss for the local community and economy. Authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the fire, while environmental experts assess potential risks.
