Update: No injuries have been reported.
The preliminary cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation. Damage to the facility was limited to a 16-foot by 16-foot chemical storage building to the rear of the factory.
Fire personnel took appropriate actions to control the chemicals being released and extinguished the fire at 4:25 p.m. There is no known hazard to the community at this time.
A precautionary evacuation was ordered for Wheeler Park, the Geneva Township Senior Center and the Geneva Park District offices located due east of the incident. Factory employees already had exited the building after the fire alarm had been activated.
According to a City of Geneva alert, the Geneva Fire Department is responding to a hazmat situation this afternoon following an explosion at Olon Industries at 411 Union Street in Geneva.
Olon, headquartered in Georgetown, Ontario, is a manufacturer and distributor of integrated woodworking component products for the North American furniture and cabinet-making industries. Olon’s Geneva location is comprised of about 40,000 square feet dedicated to saturating and laminate manufacturing and certain distribution functions.
Fire officials are unsure what caused the explosion or if any injuries have taken place during its preliminary investigation. People have been evacuated from Wheeler Park and the Senior Center as a precaution.
The Geneva Public Works Department has disconnected the electric supply to the factory building. At this time, the City’s water supply does not appear to be impacted by the explosion.
The city is encouraging residents to stay away from Wheeler Park and the surrounding area.
The incident is ongoing and remains under investigation. This story is developing.
