Barrington chemical cleanup to continue through Thursday morning

Two men were injured when a pickup collided with a semi truck Tuesday evening in northwest suburban Barrington, causing a fire and chemical spill.

The pickup and semi collided about 11:30 p.m. at Route 14 and Hart Road, according to a statement from the Village of Barrington. The semi was engulfed in flames, which were brought under control in about 35 minutes.

The 35-year-old man driving the pickup and a 49-year-old man riding with him as passenger were were taken to Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, authorities said. They were expected to survive. The semi driver was not hurt.

As a result of the collision, methylene diphenyl disocyanate—a substance used in the production of polyurethane—leaked onto the road, authorities said. The substance is described as an allergen and irritant, but cleanup crews were assisted by high winds on Wednesday, which dissipated the substance. The area was not considered a threat to the public outside of the contained area.

There was no risk to the water supply or the public, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Duty Officer George Krebs, said in a statement Wednesday night.

Cleanup was expected to continue through Thursday morning by specialty technicians, which closed both westbound lanes of Route 14 at Hart Road through the morning rush hour, authorities said. The public was asked to avoid the area.