OTTAWA, Ill. — Officials say two people were hospitalized on Tuesday morning after an explosion and fire at a manufacturing facility in Ottawa.
According to officials from the Ottawa Fire Department, the incident unfolded around 8 a.m. at a Coogee Chemical manufacturing facility, located in the 1500 block of Titanium Drive.
Officials from Coogee said it all started after a routine transfer of magnesium metal powder resulted in an “unexpected ignition and brief pressure surge.” The explosion also sparked a fire.
Crews from the Ottawa fire department quickly responded to the scene and got the fire under control by 8:15 a.m.
Officials said two Coogee employees were injured in the explosion and were later taken to the hospital for treatment.
Following the explosion, the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Illinois OSHA) responded to assist with the investigation.
According to fire officials, early findings of the OSHA investigation suggest that the explosion may have been the result of equipment failure during a process involving the transfer of magnesium into a storage container.
Officials said the process utilizes an oxygen sensor and the introduction of an inert gas, argon, to prevent oxygen exposure. A malfunction in the system is believed to have allowed oxygen levels to increase, resulting in a reaction with the magnesium and causing the explosion.
Authorities say there is no risk to the public and an investigation is ongoing.
WMBD TV first reported on this story. The original story can be found online at CIProud.com.
