Waukegan police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 9:38 PM Friday May 3, 2019 to a report of loud, earth-shaking explosion and fire at Sunset Avenue and Northwestern Avenue Waukegan, Il. The explosion was heard as far away as Round Lake, Wadsworth and Hawthorn Woods. A residential neighborhood of single-family homes is just northwest of the scene, and early efforts to locate the explosion were in the area of Yorkhouse Road and Maple Tree Lane about 1.75 mi northwest of the scene.
Initial report about 9:41 p.m. was that six people were injured at the scene. Later, Waukegan Fire Marshal Steven Lenzi confirmed that four people were hospitalized following the explosion.
A MABAS Division 4 Box Alarm on Box #16-2 was activated for an explosion and structure fire. The dispatch address was at 3700 Sunset Avenue, where the listing is American Outfitters, but the building that exploded was closer to the northeast corner of Sunset Avenue and Northwestern Avenue — the AB Specialty Silicones building.
Photos at the scene show much debris in the streets and large volume of fire and smoke. Aerial video from CBS Chicago’s news helicopter and Fox 32 Chicago’s news helicopter show destruction about at least 100 feet long, and a gas-fed fire still burning.
Another Box Alarm #1699 was activated at 10:21 p.m. (possibly a Life Safety or EMS Box ???)
Fire Box #16-2 upgraded to a 3rd Alarm at 10:56 p.m.
Box #16-40 for hazardous materials at 11:44 p.m.
Interdivisional TRT Task Force at 12:05 a.m.
The MABAS Fire Box 16-2 and the Life Safety Box (?) 16-99 were struck out at 2:30 a.m. whilte the Interdivisional Task Force Alarm and Hazmat Box 16-40 remained open.
The HazMat Box Alarm 16-40 was struck out at 4:27 a.m.
DEVELOPING …
More Cardinal news Friday May 3, 2019 …
A “ground shaking” explosion occurred in the Gurnee area Friday night and authorities were working to determine the cause.
Posted by NBC Chicago on Friday, May 3, 2019
STAY OUT of the area of Sunset Avenue from Green Bay to Delany, Waukegan!! Please allow first-responders to conduct operations!! Area first-responders are on the scene of an explosion/building fire.
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) May 4, 2019
Local police/fire investigating an explosion in the area of Sunset Ave and Northwestern Ave, Gurnee/Waukegan boarder. STAY OUT OF THE AREA! If you need medical/police response, call 911.
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) May 4, 2019
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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Neighbors’s homes were rocked after a large explosion in Gurnee near Sunset and Northwestern avenues. The explosion was heard and felt for several miles. Officials are now responding to a 2-alarm fire. This story is developing…https://cbsloc.al/2JgXdkf
Posted by CBS Chicago on Friday, May 3, 2019