4 Hurt in Chicago Chemical Blast
Explosions and fire ripped through a chemical plant in a Chicago suburb early today, injuring four people, two of them critically, and spewing toxic smoke that forced the evacuation of about 300 residents.
The fire at the Unocal Chemical Division Plant, a plastics manufacturer in Bridgeview, southwest of Chicago, burned at least four hours after explosions rocked the plant at 1:08 a.m. today, Bridgeview Fire Lt. Kenneth Pedersen said. The cause of the explosions was being investigated. Residents were allowed to return home once the smoke dissipated, shortly after 5 a.m.
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