Excerpts from Chicago.cbslocal.com:
Emergency crews are still working to contain an industrial fire involving lithium-ion batteries in Morris, Illinois, on Wednesday. The incident has led to a mandatory evacuation of parts of the town as crews try to manage the dangerous situation.
Residents in certain areas of Morris were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday due to the fire, with the mandatory evacuation lasting for 24 hours. The decision came after lithium batteries caught fire, releasing smoke that contains harmful particulates, posing serious health risks to nearby residents.
The fire was first reported at 11:42 a.m. on Tuesday when the Morris Fire Department responded to a blaze at the 900 block of East Benton Street. The location is an old Federal Paper Board building that had been repurposed to store a large quantity of lithium batteries. The company currently occupying the site, Superior Battery, confirmed there were approximately 80 to 100 tons of batteries stored on the premises.
Due to the hazardous nature of the fire, officials have evacuated the southeast side of Morris, covering an area from Washington Street eastward to Evergreen Cemetery (Cemetery Road), westward to Route 47, and from the railroad tracks in the north down to the river in the south. The affected area is under strict monitoring.
Lithium fires cannot be extinguished with water, as lithium reacts violently when it comes into contact with moisture, causing explosions. Therefore, firefighters are using alternative methods to smother the flames and prevent further spread. The fire department has stated that the only viable option is to let the fire burn out, while keeping it contained within the structure.
"The building is holding up very well. It's containing the explosions inside, so no external damage or hazards are being created," said Chief Tracey Steffes of the Morris Fire Department. Firefighters will remain on-site throughout the night to ensure public safety and monitor the situation closely.
A total of about 130 firefighters and 30 units were deployed to the scene. In addition, the Illinois National Guard has been called in to assist. A spokesperson for Governor JB Pritzker confirmed that 12 service members from the 5th Civil Support Team, based in Bartonville, are en route with five trucks and three trailers equipped with chemical assessment and monitoring tools. Their mission is to assess air quality and environmental conditions, helping determine when it will be safe for residents to return home under the direction of civilian emergency commanders.
Meanwhile, American Red Cross volunteers have arrived in Morris to support the firefighters by providing food and water to over 300 emergency personnel on the scene. As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are urging residents to stay informed and follow all official instructions.
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