Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Four employees of a Waukegan chemical plant were hospitalized and another three were reported missing following an explosion late Friday that was heard and felt across Lake County around 9:45 p.m. 

Waukegan Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi reported that first arriving crews were quickly overwhelmed by flames at the AB Specialty Silicones plant at 3790 Sunset Ave., which is on the city’s far northwest side near its border with Gurnee.

Fire personnel from Waukegan plus departments in Lake and Cook counties including hazardous materials crews and structural collapse technicians were involved with both fighting the fire and searching for the missing employees.

Fatal explosion and fire at the AB Specialty Silicones plant at 3790 Sunset Ave. in Waukegan IL 5/3/19

Jeff Rudolph photo

Fatal explosion and fire at the AB Specialty Silicones plant at 3790 Sunset Ave. in Waukegan IL 5/3/19

Jeff Rudolph photo

Fatal explosion and fire at the AB Specialty Silicones plant at 3790 Sunset Ave. in Waukegan IL 5/3/19

Jeff Rudolph photo

Fatal explosion and fire at the AB Specialty Silicones plant at 3790 Sunset Ave. in Waukegan IL 5/3/19

Jeff Rudolph photo

Fatal explosion and fire at the AB Specialty Silicones plant at 3790 Sunset Ave. in Waukegan IL 5/3/19

Jeff Rudolph photo

Waukegan FD ARFF unit works at the Fatal explosion and fire at the AB Specialty Silicones plant at 3790 Sunset Ave. in Waukegan IL 5/3/19

Jeff Rudolph photo