The Latest on a chemical spill in a north suburban Chicago community (all times local):
7:25 a.m.
A police spokesman says a toxic gas cloud that’s forced residents in a suburban Chicago community to stay indoors with their windows closed is coming from a leaking tanker that was involved in a crash.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Christopher Covelli says the first deputies on the scene had to retreat because they were immediately overcome by the strong fumes. The department believes the spilled substance is anhydrous ammonia.
Covelli says a tractor was pulling the tanker when it crashed about 4:30 a.m. Thursday and the toxic fumes began leaking, creating “a cloud of this toxic chemical.”
Covelli says there are reports of injuries but he doesn’t have details.
He says people within a 1-mile radius of the crash scene at Green Bay Road and 29th Street in the north suburban community should stay indoors with their windows closed while hazardous materials crews try to stop the leak.
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6:27 a.m.
Authorities are urging residents in a suburban Chicago community to stay indoors with their windows closed following a chemical spill that resulted in a toxic gas cloud.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported the hazardous material spill just before 5 a.m. Thursday in Beach Park, saying the spill has created “a dangerous chemical cloud” in a 1-mile radius of Green Bay Road and 29th Street in the north suburban community.
The sheriff’s department says the spill appears to be anhydrous ammonia.
Residents are being urged to stay inside with their windows closed while hazardous materials crews respond to the spill.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas that can cause breathing difficulties, burns, blisters and can be fatal in high concentrations.
