UPDATED 12:21 P.M.
MAPLETON, Ill. – No one was hurt after Caterpillar says fire broke out in what they call a “small part” of its Mapleton Foundry.
This, despite black smoke could be seen for a time.
It happened just after 7:00 a.m. Friday.
Spokesperson Lisa Miller says local fire departments were called in to assist in putting the fire out.
Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger told us it was being classified as a hazardous materials situation. The company statement did not indicate what caused the fire.
The facility was evacuated as a precaution.
“A fire located in a small part of our Mapleton Foundry has been extinguished. Local fire departments were called to assist. Out of an abundance of caution, the facility was evacuated. No one was injured.” — Lisa Miller, Caterpillar spokesperson
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MAPLETON, Ill. — There were reports of a chemical fire or explosion at the Mapleton Foundry Caterpillar plant early Friday morning.
Scanner traffic just after 7 a.m. initially indicated a chemical spill, but later reports said there’d been an explosion or fire on the second floor of the facility, possibly in a lab.
Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger tells WMBD News the incident was classified as a hazardous materials spill.
A Caterpillar spokesperson says a statement on the incident will soon be released.
This is a developing story. We’ll have more information when it’s available.
