Explosion at US refinery kills one person, injures another
27 April 2023
An explosion at a refinery near Chicago, Illinois killed one worker and injured another on 25 April. The incident happened at Seneca Petroleum in the town of Lemont, southwest of Chicago.
Representative image: Shutterstock
The explosion happened at around 09:40 local time when local police were called to the scene. In a statement, the Will County Sheriff's Office said one person was confirmed deceased at the scene. In the days following the blast, the deceased was identified as 25-year-old Dru A. Worker.
A second individual was transported to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox where they were treated for a minor injury. Both Mr Worker and the injured man were contractors working at the Seneca plant for M&J Industrial Services.
Multiple fire emergency personnel responded to the scene and were able to bring the fire under control within 40 minutes. Initial reports indicate that the explosion occurred at an asphalt tank, although fire personnel do not believe that any type of hazmat situation occurred, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) also attended the scene along with the Illinois State Fire Marshal. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause.