Fire breaks out at Olon Industries factory in Geneva after reported explosion

Wheeler Park, senior center evacuation order lifted

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Fire breaks out at Geneva factory after reported explosion
An industrial fire broke out in Geneva after an explosion was reported at Olon Industries in the 400-block of Union Street. Wheeler Park has been evacuated as a precaution.

GENEVA, Ill. (WLS) -- Firefighters in west suburban Geneva put out an industrial fire after an explosion was reported at a factory near the Fox River Tuesday afternoon.

Geneva Fire Chief Mike Antenore said firefighters arrived on the scene at Olon Industries in the 400-block of Union Street around 1:33 p.m. They found a small fire and a white plume of smoke coming from a storage building.

It was later determined to be a chemical fire, prompting a hazardous materials response. While Antenore said there were multiple chemicals involved, they are currently investigating which ones were involved.

Geneva's fire chief said the damage was contained to the storage facility and did not impact the manufacturing side of the facility. Firefighters gained control of the fire by 4:25 p.m.

An industrial fire broke out in Geneva after an explosion was reported at Olon Industries in the 400-block of Union Street. Wheeler Park has been evacuated as a precaution.

People were evacuated from Wheeler Park and the senior center as a precaution, city officials said. The evacuation order was lifted just before 5:30 p.m.

Antenore said the Environmental Protection Agency and others were on the scene to assess water. But so far, city officials said the city's water supply does not appear to be impacted.

The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.