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Thread: Chemical fires

  1. #1

    Chemical fires

    Thought this would be an appropriate post.

    https://www.foxnews.com/us/illinois-...ry-evacuations

    T-Woman 1066, T-Son 1066, and I live exactly 1 mile from this mess. Chemtool plant went up right about 7AM yesterday. These pics are from my back yard and the street entering our neighborhood.

    Very much a oh-sheit moment, not knowing exactly what was going to happen. Most explosions that I could hear were likely 55 gallon drums, or forklift propane cylinders. Some were huge. I stopped counting after 70 explosions.

    Gentlemen, this is why having a bug out bag is important. We had time to get out, as we were on the fringe of the evacuation area, about 1 mile, and the wind was blowing south, and we live east. But still pretty wild time. Short term concerns were pets, and potential looters. Haven't heard much about looting, but always an opportunity for hood rats. (We are near Rockford, IL). Long term concerns are the river, about 125 yards from the plant, and groundwater contamination. They are letting about 1/2 million gallons of oil and other chemicals burn. We are on a well. Time to self educate on water testing.

    Problem is my BOL is only 8 miles away, likely if our home well gets contaminated the BOL well will also, as I am sure its on the same aquafier. Other big concern was fire, as we have been in a drought, and brown grass and hot embers traving miles and miles don't end well. It was a 47 alarm fire, with FD's from 75 miles away attending the party.

    We are doing fine, but this was a bad deal for sure.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  3. #2
    Super Moderator Sparkyprep's Avatar
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    Stay safe out there. Maybe re-think your BOL, to something a little further away.
    Friends don't let friends shoot Glocks.

    Proud Deplorable

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  5. #3
    PISSED OFF red442joe's Avatar
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    Damn! Good luck.
    Chemtool? As in Berrymans B-12 Chemtool?

    Joe

  6. #4
    PISSED OFF ! Piratesailor's Avatar
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    Wow. Hope you and the family are safe.
    "Erosion of our rights just takes a few good men doing nothing"

    Who is John Galt?

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  8. #5
    So far so good. Still fire crews on the scene. National Guard, EPA, ISP. They will supposedly monitor air quality, well water, and river contamination. Most local businesses in Rockton were closed. Seen on a map that the smoke plume could be seen from outer space.

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  10. #6
    Yikes close call right there! Glad Y'all are OK!
    "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." W. C. Fields

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    I just did a quickie search on aquifers, most major ones are 50 square miles in area. Holy crap!!! If all that water has gone bad its almost like being nuked!!

    Didn't look for how long if ever it would take for the water to be usable.

    Glad you and yours are safe.

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    That is a SHTF deal for sure
    Keep Your Head Up, And your Stick On The Ice.

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  16. #9
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    Wow!! Just checked, my bud for 45 years and his wife live in Beloit, 4 miles away!!

    Gonna send a message tonite and call him in the morn.

  17. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by 1skrewsloose View Post
    Wow!! Just checked, my bud for 45 years and his wife live in Beloit, 4 miles away!!

    Gonna send a message tonite and call him in the morn.
    Yep thats close, Beloit WI is only about 2 miles. Im right on the edge between Rockton and So. Beloit, IL.

    You guys might want to check your stocks on engine oil, hydraulic fluid, grease, etc. Chemtool is supposedly the biggest producer in the Americas of grease and lubrication products. A Berkshire Hathaway Co, thanks W Buffet. Hope no corners were cut in the name of next quarter profits...

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