Excerpts from Chicago.cbslocal.com:
Emergency crews are still on the scene in Morris, Illinois, working to contain a large industrial fire involving lithium-ion batteries. The incident, which began on Tuesday, has led to a mandatory evacuation for residents in parts of the city.
The fire broke out at around 11:42 a.m. at the old Federal Paper Board building on East Benton Street, which was being used as a storage facility for a massive quantity of lithium batteries. According to Superior Battery, the company currently occupying the site, there were approximately 80 to 100 tons of batteries stored inside.
Due to the dangers posed by the fire, officials ordered an evacuation of the southeast side of Morris. The affected area stretches from Washington Street eastward to Evergreen Cemetery, and westward to Route 47. The northern boundary is the railroad tracks, while the southern border is the river. Residents were advised to stay away for at least 24 hours.
Lithium fires are particularly dangerous because they can react violently with water, causing explosions. As a result, firefighters cannot use traditional methods to extinguish the flames. Instead, they are using smothering techniques to control the fire. The fire department has stated that the only option is to let the fire burn out, while keeping it contained within the building.
"The building is doing very well. It's keeping the explosions inside. So we're not seeing any outside damage," said Chief Tracey Steffes of the Morris Fire Department.
Around 130 firefighters and 30 units were deployed to the scene. In addition, the Illinois National Guard has sent 12 service members, five trucks, and three trailers equipped with chemical assessment and monitoring tools from the 5th Civil Support Team based in Bartonville. Their mission is to monitor air quality and conduct environmental assessments to determine when it will be safe for residents to return.
The American Red Cross has also arrived in Morris to support the emergency personnel, providing food and water to more than 300 workers on the scene.
Residents are urged to stay informed through local authorities and avoid the area until further notice. The situation remains under close surveillance, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Single Screw Extruder Gearbox,Single Screw Barrel For Injection And Extruder,Mini Screw Barrel,Single Screw Barrel For Injection
Zhoushan OSD Machinery Co., Ltd. , https://www.osdscrew.com