An explosion at Arens Controls, 3602 N. Kennicott Ave., in Arlington Heights this morning killed one worker and injured several others. An EMS Box Alarm was requested for additional ambulances to treat workers and police officers. Ambulances responded from Buffalo Grove, Wheeling, Palatine, and Prospect Heights to assist Arlington Heights companies.

Ambulances stage along Kennicott Avenue prior to transporting patients to area hospitals. Larry Shapiro photo

Several articles on the incident are available.

The Chicago Tribune reports that:

One person died and 10 others were injured when a machine exploded inside an Arlington Heights building, releasing chemical fumes, officials said.

Fire officials said the fumes posed no danger to nearby residents in the 3600 block of North Kennicott Avenue, but the force of the blast propelled rocks from the roof into a parking lot, damaging 20 cars.

Firefighters received a call about 9 a.m. about an explosion at Arens Controls, a company at 3602 N. Kennicott Ave. that according to its website makes parts for hybrid vehicles, said Arlington Heights Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen.

Police officers arriving at the building found it filled with smoke, Ericksen said. They also found one Arens employee who had died in the blast, he said.

Ten people — seven Arens employees and three police officers — were sent to a hospital with respiratory distress, Ericksen said. Their injuries did not appear life-threatening.

The explosion occurred in a machine that used a diluted form of potassium hydroxide, a chemical that according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has the potential to ignite combustible materials if mixed with water or other substances, Ericksen said.

The complete Tribune article is HERE, along with additional coverage HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Larry Shapiro went to the scene and submitted a few images.

Buffalo Grove firefighters check the roof for damage from the explosion. Larry Shapiro photo

Company workers outside the building await instructions from management. Larry Shapiro photo

Arlington Heights engines 2 and 4 responded along with Squad 2 and Buffalo Grove Tower 25. Larry Shapiro photo

Paramedics inside Wheeling Ambulance 23 and Palatine Ambulance 82 treat patients prior to transporting them to the hospital. Larry Shapiro photo

A few additional images can be found HERE.

Tags: Arlington Heights Fire Department, explosion kills worker in Arlington Heights, Larry Shapiro, several hurt and one dead at Arens Controls in Arlington Heights