ROCKTON, Illinois (WTVO) – People living near the Chemtool plant in Roctan can expect to see heavy equipment starting Monday.
Roctan Mayor John Peterson has said the cleanup will begin. This comes after the Illinois Attorney General and the Winner County Attorney ordered the company to ensure compliance with environmental cleanup efforts.
In the ban, Chemtool had to present a plan on how to identify, store and properly dispose of any chemicals that are still on site, and send a schedule to demonstrate and decontaminate the plant within 14 days. It will be overseen by the Illinois EPA.
On June 14, 2021, a third-party contractor struck the pipe. The mineral oil spilled on the floor and caught fire. About 70 employees were working at the time, but no one was injured.
Dozens of explosions took place, the fire burned for several days. Everyone within a mile of the plant was forced to evacuate from their homes.
Four days later, the evacuation order was revoked.
https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/cleanup-from-rocktons-chemtool-explosion-begins/
