Fumes From Warehouse Fire Cause Evacuation of Homes
Firefighters on Wednesday controlled a blaze that destroyed a warehouse filled with pesticides and fertilizers, but officials evacuated about 50 homes for 10 hours and closed an elementary school for fear the smoking rubble was emitting dangerous fumes.
The fire at the Will-DuPage Service Co. warehouse threw off a huge black smoke cloud, and the flames’ orange glow could be seen from several miles away after the blaze broke out late Tuesday.
Wednesday’s evacuation followed a temporary evacuation of 30 to 40 people Tuesday night, when an explosion was feared, said Tom Mefferd, Wills County deputy director of emergency services.
The evacuation order was lifted after two tests conducted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency showed the fumes were not toxic, Mefferd said.
Oak Valley Elementary School canceled classes Wednesday, he said. In addition, about 25 pupils at Laraway Elementary School were kept after class until authorities determined the fumes were non-toxic, he said.
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