Fire crews from multiple agencies responded Wednesday evening after an explosion and fire erupted at the Koppers chemical plant on the Stickney–Cicero border. The incident sent a tall plume of smoke into the air and prompted a large hazmat response as firefighters worked to contain flames coming from a damaged storage tank.
Officials said the blast occurred at the facility on South Laramie Avenue, where the plant handles materials including coal tar, petroleum sludge, and other industrial byproducts. A silo and a large storage tank were visibly damaged, with the top of one tank blown off. Firefighters used elevated streams, handlines, and specialized foam equipment to prevent the fire from spreading to additional tanks.
Emergency crews confirmed that all employees were accounted for and no injuries were reported. Hazmat teams, including a specialized unit from O’Hare International Airport, conducted air‑quality testing in surrounding neighborhoods. Officials reported no hazardous readings, and earlier shelter‑in‑place advisories were lifted once the fire was brought under control.
Koppers stated that a portion of the plant will remain shut down while investigators determine the cause of the explosion. The company said monitoring will continue as crews assess the affected tank and nearby equipment.
The facility has a documented history of environmental violations, including unauthorized air‑pollution events noted in previous Illinois EPA reports. Environmental health advocates encouraged residents to remain attentive to official air‑quality notifications as the investigation continues.
Sources
- CBS News
- FOX 32 Chicago
- ABC7 Chicago