OCTOBER 21, 2016
La Salle, IL
Fire started in a piece of dust-collection equipment in one the two main chemical-process buildings at Carus Chemical in La Salle at about 4:40 p.m. Friday.
The fire went out on its own and firefighters did not have to use any water, said Kegan Pakula, spokesperson for Carus Corp.
“There was a small fire in our pilot plant. The fire is out. Everyone is safe and accounted for,” Pakula said.
She said at 5:20 p.m. firefighters still were monitoring for hot spots.
La Salle and Peru firefighters responded, and Utica firefighters manned the La Salle fire station.
Damage to the piece of equipment is being assessed.
The process in the building will not be restarted until everything is checked and OK.