Rockton, Illinois Chemtool Fire Continues Burning; Evacuation Order Remains in Effect

A massive fire at a Rockton, Illinois Chemtool plant continues to burn for a second day Tuesday.

The massive chemical plant went up in flames around 7 a.m. Monday and firefighters say it could burn for several days.

The Rockton Fire Department has ordered a mandatory evacuation affecting all residents and businesses within one mile of Chemtool.

Fire officials said potentially toxic compounds like lead, nitrogen and sulfuric acids only fueled the flames and that drowning the fire with water simply isn’t an option.

"Oh yeah, they heard it," said Melodie Chamberlain, whose family has been forced from their home. "My grandson woke up my daughter in law and said ’mom you gotta wake up, there’s a vibration on our fireplace."