Large fire, explosions reported at Gurnee propane company

A large fire at a propane company Thursday afternoon in north suburban Gurnee has been brought under control.

Firefighters responded to a possible explosion and fire at the facility at 3895 Clearview Ct., Gurnee Fire Chief Fred Friedl told reporters at the scene. The company fills containers with propane for grills.

“We were feeling pretty good about it in the beginning here, it seemed like we had some control on the fire. Unfortunately things took off on us,” Friedl said. The fire impinged on propane tanks in the back of the building.

The blaze was raised to a fifth alarm, and several additional departments throughout Lake County responded. An aircraft firefighting unit and a police drone were also used to fight and monitor the blaze.

The general area around the fire was evacuated, Friedl said. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the initial explosion remains under investigation.

Residents are asked to avoid the area of Route 41 and Delany, and Northwestern and Sunset, according to police.