Excerpts from mystateline.com:

Multiple explosions were reported at Carus Chemical in La Salle on Wednesday morning, and billowing clouds of smoke could be seen emanating from the factory.

Carus Chemical, located at 1500 8th Street, manufactures chemicals used in water treatment plants.

Fire departments from multiple surrounding agencies were called in around 9 a.m. to respond to contain the blaze, which started after an explosion occurred in a shipping container in the shipping department.