Two people are dead and two remain unaccounted for after an explosion at a silicone manufacturing and distribution company in Lake County, Ill., U.S. media reports say.
The “catastrophic explosion” occurred at AB Specialty Silicones in Waukegan, about 40 miles north of Chicago, at around 9:30 p.m. Friday evening, Waukegan police spokesman Cmdr. Joe Florip told CNN.
According to CNN, Waukegan Fire Marshal Steven Lenzi confirmed that everyone affected was an employee working at the time.
Lenzi said four people were taken to hospital with “moderate to serious injuries” and two others were seen, but requested no treatment.
A local coroner later told The Chicago Tribune that one of the four people sent to hospital had died. The other victim was deceased at the scene of the explosion.
In a tweet early Saturday morning, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said emergency personnel were “working diligently” at the scene, and asked the public to avoid the area.
CNN reported that the fire had been extinguished, and hazardous materials technicians and other teams were on the scene and searching for three employees who remained unaccounted for.
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However, on Saturday, Lenzi confirmed the body of one of the missing employees had been discovered.
WATCH: Crews suspend search at Illinois plant following explosion after building deemed unsafe
According to CNN, the search for the other two missing people has been suspended due to dangerous conditions and concerns about structural stability.
Lenzi told CNN the cause of the explosion has not been determined, and the state fire marshal will assist with the investigation.
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