Firefighters clean up the scene after an equipment fire near Towanda on Friday. (photo by Zach Dietmeier/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

TOWANDA - Fire crews responded to a hydraulic tank explosion and fire in Towanda at an Illinois Department of Transportation maintenance facility.

Towanda Fire Chief Brett Lueschen said a small fire started while repairs where being made to a hydraulic tank, causing an explosion. One injured worker was transported to OSF St. Joseph's Hospital. Lueschen had no further knowledge of injury.

The blaze started at around 8:40 a.m. Friday and was contained within ten minutes. Firefighters from Hudson, Lexington, Normal and Towanda assisted as Bloomington HAZMAT contained a materails leak.

The IDOT facility is located at 203 Old Route 66.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.