A large industrial site north of Carlinville exploded early yesterday morning.
WSMI reports that a 9-1-1 call for a fire with multiple explosions came in shortly before 4AM yesterday located at 14855 University Street. The complex was said to house Demuzio Excavating, Starr Electric, and Davis Towing.
Mutual aid from over a dozen departments from Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, and Sangamon counties responded to the scene. No confirmed injuries were reported. Firefighters from most of the departments left the scene about noon yesterday, and residences under the Carlinville water department utility were immediately placed on boil order.
As the Carlinville Fire Department was working to clear the scene and the fire investigation was being conducted, a small fire was discovered in a warehouse structure on the south side of the complex. According to WSMI, as firefighters were working to suppress the small fire, a strong wind from the east caused the fire to quickly grow and the building was quickly engulfed in flames. Because of the possible compromised condition of this building from the previous fire, no one was allowed inside the building when the fire quickly grew and engulfed the building. Mutual aid was reactivated and tracked vehicles were brought to the scene to remove the roof from the structure so that ladder trucks could get water inside. The rekindle suppression efforts lasted into the late evening hours last night
The building is considered a complete loss. Cause of the fire is currently under investigation.