Authorities have ordered a mandatory evacuation of residents within a mile of a massive fire at a chemical plant Monday morning in Rockton, a suburb 10 miles north of Rockford.
The fire happened at Chemtool Inc., 1165 Prairie Hill Road, police said in an alert to residents.
There was no immediate word of injuries.
“Rockton Fire has ordered a mandatory evacuation for area south of Chemtool due to an industrial fire. This notice affects all residents and business south of Chemtool on Prairie Hill Road. Traffic is advised to avoid area,” the alert states.
Evacuated residents were advised to go to Stephen Mack Middle School.
Rockton-based Chemtool Inc. manufactures greases and industrial fluids, and has a plant in Chrystal Lake in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
