A massive, ground-shaking explosion took place in north of Chicago on Friday night, prompting emergency response personnel to advise the public to stay away from the area.
There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries following the blast, which occurred around 9 p.m. local time in the Gurnee and Waukegan area, roughly 45 miles north of Chicago, near an intersection where an emissions testing facility is located.
A witness told Chicago’s WLS-TV that she “heard a large boom” and saw “debris and sparks flying everywhere.” As she drove closer, she saw a building “engulfed in flames” and heard another “large boom.”
#BREAKING: There were reports of a loud explosion tonight in the northern Chicago suburbs, near Gurnee and Waukegan. https://t.co/x5KJiUuA7z
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) May 4, 2019
You can hear the factory plant explosion in this.. just happened a few minutes ago in Gurnee.. pic.twitter.com/VAIC9pE7FI
— BL🌸🌸M (@leeblooms) May 4, 2019
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office urged everyone to stay out of the area to allow first-responders to conduct operations.
“We are aware of a very loud explosion sound and ground shaking in the Gurnee area. We are working to determine the cause,” the sheriff’s office tweeted.
We are aware of a very loud explosion sound and ground shaking in the Gurnee area. We are working to determine the cause. If you have first-hand knowledge of the incident please call your local law-enforcement. If you’re not in danger and don’t have info, please don’t call 911.
— Lake County Sheriff (@LakeCoILSheriff) May 4, 2019
