MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) - No one was injured after a major fire at ILMO in Mattoon set off a series of explosions Tuesday night.
According to the company’s website, ILMO is a “single-source provider of industrial, medical, and laboratory gases in bulk, micro-bulk, cryogenic and cylinder solutions.”
The Mattoon Fire union said the fire department was called to 4112 Lakeland Lvd. at 6:15 for a fire with explosions. A glow could be seen from over a mile away.
A box and second alarm was struck at 6:17 p.m. Charleston Fire Departments ladder truck was requested along with tenders from Lincoln FPD, and Wabash FPD in anticipation of setting up a water shuttle operation.
Crews got to the scene at 6:21 p.m. and found an approximate 100X50 commercial pole style building fully involved. Multiple explosions were occurring.
Rt. 45 was shut down in both directions to traffic, along with CH 13, the county road traveling behind the fire.
Additional help was requested from Humboldt, Cooks Mill, and Neoga fire protection districts.
The Mattoon Fire union said that, with the compressed gas and hazards at the facility, a plan was put into place for possible evacuations.
"The most concerning gas at this fire that required the farthest evacuation distance was anhydrous ammonia. The recommended evacuation was 1 mile," the union said.
The union noted that, "The wind was in our favor out of the SW at 15 mph which was sending the smoke and toxic gases into an open farm field. The closest populated area that was downwind in the potential path of the toxic smoke and gas travel was Old State Village located on the South side of Old State Road. These residences were 1.1 miles from the location of the fire."
All downwind areas were checked multiple times by Mattoon Police Department and the Coles County Sheriff's Department.
The anhydrous ammonia tanks were constantly monitored for any leaks while firefighters kept the tanks from being involved in fire.
The other compressed gases that were involved in fire had 650 feet or less evacuation areas.
The fire was considered under control at 8:53 p.m. with the chances of continued explosions and chemical releases greatly reduced. Crews continued to monitor and extinguish spot fires within the structure. At 9:30 the water shuttle operation was shut down, and mutual aid companies were released.
An investigator from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall was requested and arrived on scene to investigate the fire. All Mattoon fire units cleared the scene at 11:38 p.m.
ILMO posted that its team worked to continue services "without interruption" at nearby branch locations, with the closest in Decatur.
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