The body of one of two people still missing after Friday’s explosion at the AB Specialty Silicones factory in Waukegan was recovered Sunday afternoon.
Crews found the missing man at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the rubble of the building, according to Waukegan Fire Marshall Steven Lenzi.
Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper did not identify the body, but said its recovery might help in the location of the other body.
“We do have an idea of where we will search now using the information we have of where this body was found,” Cooper said. “But it’s not a guarantee, because in an explosion things move to the path of least resistance.”
The blast killed two others, and shook homes and made lights flicker as far away as Antioch and Libertyville shortly after 9:30 p.m. Friday. It caused an estimated $1 million in damage.
On Sunday, machines moved heavy objects, such as air conditioners and large pieces of the building’s roof, while others on the ground used shovels and more carefully inspected objects found in the rubble as they searched for the bodies of the missing people.
Along with the recovery efforts, the investigation into what caused the explosion continued on Sunday.
“Now we’re still dealing with the collapse, and we anticipate at least a week to a month before we can get information that can help us determine a cause,” Waukegan Fire Chief George Bridges Jr. said.
According to authorities, preliminary reports based on accounts from survivors of the blast tell a story of heroic acts from those who did not make it out alive.
“They saved the lives of their coworkers. They were the ones who were trying to get everyone out,” Bridges said.
On Saturday, the body of one of the two victims was removed from the explosion site, according to authorities.
Another victim, Allen Stevens, 29, of Salem, Wis., died at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Stevens was initially taken to Vista Medical Center East and transferred to Loyola where he was pronounced dead at 11:50 a.m. Saturday.
Mac Penman, general manager of AB Specialty Silicones issued a statement Saturday expressing gratitude for the first-responders and condolences for the victims.
“We are shocked and heartbroken by the tragedy that occurred in our plant last night. We have spent the day trying our best to support all of the members of our AB family as we attempt to process this terrible loss together,” Penman said. “We continue to work closely with the Waukegan Fire Department and the Illinois Fire Marshal as they secure the scene and complete their investigation.”
Some who drove by the site on the corner of Sunset and Northwestern Avenues honked their horn in support Sunday.
One 7-year-old boy and his father went further, providing several cases of water and Powerade to the crews shortly after noon while on trip to the gas station.
“He said he wanted to help the police officers, so we got them something cool to drink,” Enrique Gonzalez said, referring to his son Adriel.
Gonzalez said sister and brother-in-law are officers in the Chicago Police Department and so he knows what they go through while working difficult investigations.
“We’re praying for them and for the families of the people who didn’t make it out,” Gonzalez said.
Yadira Sanchez Olson is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
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