IEPA determines air in vicinity of chemical plant fire to be good

An Illinois Department of Transportation official told WZOE News this morning the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has determined the air quality to be “good” in the immediate area of Saturday’s explosion and fire at the Euclid chemical plant just east of Sheffield and south of Interstate 80 along Route 40. Alex Patelli said firefighters were expecting to extinguish the little flame left on the fire this morning. A press release this morning from the Bureau County Emergency Operations Center advises residents east of Route 40 to Princeton to remain inside with windows closed until the fire is extinguished. The release also says Route 40 north from Route 6/34 to Interstate 80 remains closed and Route 6/34 east of the intersection of Route 40 and 6/34 is closed until further notice. No serious injuries were reported from the fire that started about dawn Saturday and burned throughout the day before easing in intensity Saturday evening. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.