3-Alarm Fire at Plant Injures 2 Firefighters

The Hennepin Fire Department was called to a structure fire at Washington Mills on Prairie Industrial Parkway outside of Hennepin, Illinois just before 11 AM Monday.

 

Upon arrival, fire personnel found a transformer building engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. Plant staff advised that the power was off but the furnace closest to the building was building gas and could possibly burst.

At this time a box alarm was called for requesting additional resources and defensive extinguishment methods began. Due to the heat and conditions, the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) box alarm was elevated to the third level, and a tanker box was also called for to provide additional water resources. A fill site was set up in Hennepin at Central Illinois Equipment Sales.

During the incident, two firefighters were taken by paramedic ambulance for heat related illness. One firefighter was treated and released while the other has been kept overnight for observation.

The scene was cleared by 2:30 PM. The fire was contained to just the original building, which has been deemed a total loss.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, but it is believed to be equipment failure. However, the plant does remain up and running.

Washington Mills is one of the world’s largest producers of abrasive grains and fused mineral products.

Source: 25 News Now