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Extra-Alarm fire in downstate Hoopeston
Tim Olk traveled two hours south of Chicago to Hoopeston, Illinois, to capture the massive fire at a large tire recycling facility. The scene was intense, with flames consuming a significant portion of the 400,000-square-foot brick building. Firefighters from multiple departments worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, which had already been burning for several hours when they arrived.
The fire broke out early Wednesday morning at J&R Used Tire Service Inc., and by the time first responders reached the scene, the south end of the facility was fully engulfed. Fire Chief Cliff Crabtree described the situation as overwhelming, noting that the nature of the fire made it difficult to control. "We knew we had to take a defensive approach," he said, adding that the structure was filled with tires, making it nearly impossible to save.
Despite the challenges, no one was injured, though one employee was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and later released. Local officials warned that the fire could continue burning for days, and residents in nearby areas were evacuated as a precaution. Emergency shelters were set up at the high school and local churches, while hazardous materials teams monitored air quality.
The community rallied around the affected business, with many offering support and assistance. Rodney Rogers, the owner, was working to restart operations as soon as possible. Meanwhile, firefighters from across the region joined the effort, bringing water from various sources, including local companies and farmers. The Red Cross even set up cooling tents to help prevent heat exhaustion among the crews.
Smoke from the fire was visible for miles, and the smell of burning rubber lingered in the air. Residents described the event as one of the largest fires the town had ever seen, and the response from the community was nothing short of remarkable. As the battle against the fire continued, the determination of the firefighters and the support of the people stood out as powerful reminders of resilience in the face of disaster.