What happened

A six-alarm fire and explosions engulfed Chemtool's Rockton manufacturing facility, which produced greases, lubricating oils, additives, corrosion inhibitors, industrial cleaners and metalworking fluids. Authorities ordered a mandatory evacuation within one mile because hazardous substances and oils were present. The fire produced a large black plume and extensively damaged the facility. EPA supported air and water monitoring, including testing for metals, volatile organic compounds, asbestos and PFAS associated with firefighting foam. This is classified as a lubricant-additive and industrial-fluids incident, not specifically a gasoline- or diesel-additive plant fire. The reviewed official sources did not publish a product-output loss figure.

When cited sources give different casualty, damage or spill figures for this event, they’re reported side by side above rather than merged into one number. See how confidence levels work.