VIDEO: Several agencies responded to a structure fire at a chemical manufacturing plant in Hennepin, Illinois, on Wednesday.
Hennepin Fire Department officials told News 8 they received a call around 11:11 a.m. for a fire at the Marquis Energy plant. Marquis produces renewable ethanol fuel and other biofuels, according to its website.
Officials told News 8 at the scene that they fought the fire for over five hours before it was put out. Crews had started clearing out around 5:30 p.m. with all emergency vehicles being cleared out by 6 p.m.
Marquis Energy said in a statement that the fire involved its central maintenance building, which is an old steel mill building. The company said everyone is safe and no injuries were reported, although Hennepin Fire Department tells News Eight that one plant employee was treated for smoke inhalation by EMS, without needing further treatment at a hospital.
Deputy Chief of Hennepin Fire, Quentin Buffington, and Chief of Granville-Hennepin Fire District, Neil Buffington said spray foam insulation sparked in the building, which is under renovation. Due to the nature of the fire, crews weren’t able to enter the building, which impacted extinguishment efforts.
