One person has been killed and another injured in a horror explosion at a petroleum chemical plant.
Firefighters were called to the Seneca Petroleum Company in Lemont, Illinois, on Tuesday morning.
The Lemont Fire District issued an alert via their social media accounts describing it as an “active incident.”
The Will County Coroner's Office have said that at least one person died and police have confirmed this.
People are being urged to avoid the area.
Aerial pictures taken at the scene appear to show one of the silos on the site with the top completely blown off. Initial reports suggest that the explosion occurred at an asphalt tank.
Emergency service teams swarmed the area.
Lemont Police have said several injuries have been reported, according to Patch.
Multiple emergency crews rushed to the scene just before 10 am.
The explosion also brought down some nearby power lines.
An update from local police read: "The Will County Sheriff's Office is at the scene of an explosion that has occurred within the past hour at Seneca Petroleum, 12640 S. New Avenue in Lemont.
"One person is confirmed deceased, and a second individual has been transported to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet."
Police also said they do not believe that any type of hazmat situation has occurred and there is no danger to the public.
The Sheriff's Office has said they will provide updated information throughout the day.
An update from Romeoville Police reads: "We are currently assisting Will County with traffic control.
"Northbound New Ave and High Road are both closed at 135th St (Romeo Rd).
"Please use Route 53 as an alternate."
The Lemont Fire Protection District has said the fire is under control.
Police also said that Occupational Safety and Health Administration and ComEd have been called to the scene.
According to the latest figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statisitcs: "There were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2021, an 8.9 per cent increase from 4,764 in 2020.
"The fatal work injury rate was 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, up from 3.4 per 100,000 FTE in 2020 and up from the 2019 pre-pandemic rate of 3.5."
OSHA was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing strict health and safety standards.
