Vapor Suppression Worked In Channahon Following Thermal Event In Rail Car

An emergency response team from Americas Styrenics in Channahon along with the Channahon Fire District helped cool a rail car containing a chemical material that was experiencing a thermal event. The emergency response began on Wednesday evening at 11 p.m. and continued through to yesterday morning. Channahon Fire District reported that there was no threat to the life and safety of the public. This happened along Frontage Road west of I-55 and just south of Exxon-Mobil.

-original press release-

On Thursday, September 19, 2024, Channahon Fire Protection District was dispatched to assist  with a chemical incident at 26332 Frontage Road W, Channahon, Illinois (Will County).  

Upon arrival, firefighters were met by Americas Styrenics staff who informed crews they were  currently cooling a rail car containing a chemical material that was experiencing a thermal event.  Facility emergency response staff indicated the event began during the late evening hours of  September 18 at approximately 11:00 PM.  

Channahon Fire District was summoned to assist with the cooling operation that was initiated by  facility emergency response personnel.  

Fire crews assisted by setting up large volume master streams and handlines to assist with  cooling the railcar and vapor suppression. Hazardous Materials Technicians from Division 15  Hazardous Materials Response Team were requested to the scene to establish air quality  monitoring around the property of Americas Styrenics.  

At the time of this release, THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE LIFE AND SAFETY OF  THE PUBLIC. The general public is asked to avoid the area for security reasons. Emergency  response team members continue to provide cooling to slow the reaction inside of the railcar. The  condition within the railcar is improving and is under constant evaluation by the emergency  response team. A member of the Channahon Fire District’s Command Staff remains on scene to  liaise with management. Hazardous materials technicians also remain on scene reviewing the  air quality sampling from the remote unit’s set-up at various locations on the property. 

Notifications to the Will County Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Environmental  Protection Agency, and Illinois Emergency Management Agency have been made.  

Additional updates will be posted periodically to keep the community informed.