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No injuries in apparent explosion, fire at Lemont Citgo refinery

By  Sun-Times Wire
   
SHARE No injuries in apparent explosion, fire at Lemont Citgo refinery

Details are developing after an apparent explosion shook the area for miles around the Citgo refinery in south suburban Lemont.

The SouthtownStar is pursuing the story. Multiple media and witness reports describe the scene and Joliet radio station WJOL tweeted an image showing a blaze at the facility.

UPDATE: 10:12 p.m.

Radio station WJOL reports flames no longer visible at the Lemont Citgo refinery.

While the Lemont mayor says the fire is under control:

UPDATE: 10:21 p.m.

Citgo released a statement on the incident, saying an investigation is underway and the fire is under control:

At approximately 7:40 pm on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 a fire occurred on the Crude Unit at the CITGO Lemont Refinery. The Crude Unit was immediately shut down, onsite and local fire departments have responded and the fire is under control. There have been no injuries and no evacuations were required. The refinery is conducting air monitoring and is working closely with Will County Emergency Management and local fire departments. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. The safety of our employees and the surrounding community remains our first priority. Sincerely, Pete Pete Colarelli | CITGO Lemont Refinery | Government and Public Affairs Manager

UPDATE: 11:35 p.m.

Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves tells the Sun-Times: “I know there was a lot of work being done at the refinery, something sparked, which caused the fire.”

View Citgo Lemont Refinery in a larger map

[View the story “Apparent refinery explosion, fire in Lemont, Il.” on Storify]

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