Chemical accident in Channahon: Fire department gives update

CHANNAHON — The Channahon Fire Protection District announced that emergency crews were called to a chemical spill at 26332 Frontage Road. At the scene, Americas Styrenics employees informed firefighters that they were cooling a rail car containing a chemical material that was experiencing a thermal incident.

According to the press release, the incident began around 11 p.m. Wednesday and the Channahon Fire Department was called to assist with cooling efforts.

Firefighters set up high-volume main nozzles and hand lines to assist with cooling the rail car and vapor suppression. Hazardous materials technicians from Division 15's Hazardous Materials Response Team were called to the scene to monitor air quality around the Americas Styrenics site.

There is no immediate threat to the life or safety of the public, Channahon Fire Chief John Petrakis said in his press release.

For safety reasons, the public is still asked to avoid the area while members of the emergency team continue to provide cooling to slow the reaction inside the carriage.

Conditions in the train car are improving and are being continuously monitored by the emergency response team. The Will County Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency have been notified.