ROCKTON, Ill. (AP) – An industrial firefighting team continues to battle a fire that has consumed a chemical plant in northern Illinois and forced the evacuation of nearby homes and businesses. Before pouring fire-fighting foam on the now-destroyed Chemtool plant in Rockton, Louisiana-based U.S. Fire Pumps dug a trench around the facility and placed booms in the Rock River to prevent residual material from escaping. Rockton Fire Chief Kirk Wilson said Tuesday’s smoke plume from the fire has dissipated substantially as a result of U.S. Fire Pumps’ effort. Absorbent booms were installed to prevent contaminants from leaking into the nearby Rock River, which the village relies on for its drinking water.
