Willy Wonka factory in Itasca evacuated after chemical spill

Nestle’s Willy Wonka candy factory in Itasca was evacuated because of a chemical spill early Friday, and 11 people were hospitalized.

The building already was being evacuated when paramedics, called to the factory at 1445 Norwood Ave. at 1:24 a.m., arrived, according to Deputy Fire Chief John Radzinski of the Itasca Fire Protection District.

A five-gallon container of lithium chloride — a chemical that can cause respiratory difficulties — had spilled inside the building, Radzinski said.

Seven people were taken to Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village and four to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights.