Water reclamation building's roof collapses in Chicago after explosion

Aug. 31, 2018
Ten people were injured in an explosion and collapse at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant.

CHICAGO, AUG 31, 2018 -- Ten people were injured in an explosion and roof collapse at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant in Chicago. ABC News reports workers were using a torch when they shouldnt have been, before an explosion occured.

The explosion occurred in a room that contains a large tank that is recessed into the ground and holds sludge and they were in the process of pumping the sludge to the next building where it is broken down, the news station said.

The Chicago Fire Department said a flame ignited methane, a byproduct of the sludge in the atmosphere; caused the roof to raise and come back down, where it collapsed.

Two workers remained hospitalized as of Friday.

OSHA is investigating the incident. A statement from the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant said it will "thoroughly investigate this incident and work to identify measures to prevent something like this from happening again."

Sponsored Recommendations

ArmorBlock 5000: Boost Automation Efficiency

April 25, 2024
Discover the transformative benefits of leveraging a scalable On-Machine I/O to improve flexibility, enhance reliability and streamline operations.

Rising Cyber Threats and the Impact on Risk and Resiliency Operations

April 25, 2024
The world of manufacturing is changing, and Generative AI is one of the many change agents. The 2024 State of Smart Manufacturing Report takes a deep dive into how Generative ...

State of Smart Manufacturing Report Series

April 25, 2024
The world of manufacturing is changing, and Generative AI is one of the many change agents. The 2024 State of Smart Manufacturing Report takes a deep dive into how Generative ...

SmartSights WIN-911 Alarm Notification Software Enables Faster Response

March 15, 2024
Alarm notification software enables faster response for customers, keeping production on track