VIDEO.- Impressive explosion in a chemical plant in the United States

A large chemical explosion at an industrial plant in Rockton (Illinois, USA) led to the evacuation of hundreds of people on Monday due to an “extraordinary threat to life or property,” local police reported.

“We have ordered mandatory evacuation due to an industrial fire at Chemtool (company plant) for all residents and businesses immediately south (of the area),” the Rockton Police Department noted on Twitter. .

After the explosion, a fire broke out around 7:30 a.m. local time (12:30 p.m. GMT), which caused large flames and columns of black smoke, according to videos posted on social media.

According to authorities, residents within a one-mile (1.6-kilometer) radius of Chemtool were forced to evacuate the area due to a “possible release of dangerous chemicals” in the blaze.

In a statement, the company Chemtool – which manufactures lubricants distributed around the world – confirmed that all those who were at the scene at the time of the explosion “are safe and sound.”

“Our concern at this time is for the safety of all of our employees and the surrounding community,” they noted.
Local media also did not report any injuries.

On the origin of the explosion, Chemtool assured that its risk management team is working with local authorities to determine what happened and identify actions that can be taken to correct these events.