Four Workers Die in Explosions, Fire at Plastics Plant

An explosion at a plastics factory in central Illinois killed four people, injured eight and forced the evacuation of 1,000 people from their homes and the closure of a section of a nearby interstate highway.

Residents of the town of Illiopolis and the surrounding area were evacuated after “booming” explosions rocked the Formosa Plastics plant Friday night, said Patti Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

Company officials estimate that more than half of the plant was destroyed in the explosion and subsequent fires, which continued to burn Saturday.

As of Saturday evening, the cause of the explosions was still unknown and being investigated by the state Emergency Management Agency and the FBI.

After air-quality testing in the area Saturday, most of those evacuated were allowed to return to their homes.

A witness who was driving on the interstate near the town -- which is about 24 miles east of Springfield -- told authorities that he saw an orange flash and heard a muffled boom late Friday. Then, a fireball, “estimated to be 100 feet high” launched into the air, said Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson.

The first explosion happened around 10:40 p.m. Central time, authorities said. Witnesses say two or three more blasts followed.

The plant, which employs about 135 workers, makes polyvinyl chloride used in PVC pipe and other materials for medical supplies, automotive parts and construction tools.

State health and law enforcement officials shut down 20 miles of Interstate 72, between Illiopolis and Niantic, after the explosion. The blast knocked out power in both towns.

Soon after the roads were shut down and the people evacuated, officials from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Health began testing the air for chemical and other hazardous fumes.

“They were going from house to house, checking the air to make sure everything was all right,” Thompson said. “Any time you’re dealing with a chemical fire, you have to be extremely careful.”

By Saturday, officials had reopened the highway.

Fewer than 50 people who live within one mile of the plant remained evacuated as of Saturday night “until their houses could be checked for hazards,” said Thompson.