The fire began shortly before 7:00 a.m. on June 14, 2021, when contractors were performing insulation replacement on an elevated
heat transfer piping network at the Chemtool plant in Rockton. According to an investigation, the most likely explanation for the cause of the fire was that a
scissor lift being used struck a valve, allowing
mineral oils to spill out and cause a fire hazard. Efforts by operators to shut down the
boiler, place
containment booms, and de-pressure the piping failed to prevent the fire. Sometime after 7:00 a.m., emergency crews were alerted to a fire at the plant. Explosions caused by the fire reportedly sounded like "fireworks". According to Rockton Fire Department Chief Kirk Wilson, 70 people were evacuated from the plant; however, a statement by Lubrizol said the number was closer to 50. A firefighter suffered a minor injury to his leg during the evacuation and initial efforts to stop the flames. Another firefighter had been hospitalized with breathing difficulties. Both were released from the hospital by June 16. At 8:46 a.m., the Rockton Police Department ordered a mandatory evacuation for homes and businesses within a one-mile (1.6 km) radius of the plant. Later that day, Governor
J. B. Pritzker expanded the radius to two miles (3.2 km), and encouraged residents near the fire to wear masks. Though there was no concern regarding air quality at the time, the evacuations were issued as a precautionary measure. An estimated 1,000 people were affected by the evacuation. The smoke plume from the fire was reportedly large enough to be seen on
weather radar. Authorities had raised concerns over whether contaminated runoff could have escaped into the nearby Rock River, a vital water source for the community. As a result, crews stopped the use of water to mitigate the fire to prevent runoff, which posed a risk of an "environmental nightmare". Crews managing the site reportedly dug trenches and placed booms to prevent any runoff from reaching the river. On June 15, U.S. Fire Pumps, a private industrial firefighting crew based in
Louisiana, were called to assist in managing the fire. The crew had experience in battling various
refinery fires across the United States. By the morning of June 16, the fire had been contained, but was still burning. Despite this, the mandatory evacuation and mask recommendation were still in effect, as a result of concern over "
pulmonary irritants" from particles in the air. A local public health administrator also advised residents not to handle any waste that had fallen from the sky, and to sequester such items for disposal. Officials also confirmed that no toxins were released into the water system or waterways in the region. The
Illinois National Guard, alongside crews from the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency, were deployed by Governor Pritzker.
Salvation Army volunteers also set up a mobile unit to provide food for emergency responders attending to the fire. The
Red Cross was also present. On June 18, the fire was extinguished and mandatory evacuations were lifted. Authorities confirmed there was no air or water contamination after further testing. == Aftermath ==