Huge Fire Guts Steel Plant in Joliet

Building the size of a city block goes up in flames

East Joliet firefighters expect to be at the scene of a massive industrial fire for most of the day Sunday.

The blaze gutted the Azz Galvanizing plant at 625 Mills Rd. The building, about the size of a city block, collapsed and burned overnight. By the time they arrived, the situation was so dangerous, firefighters never even entered the building.

East Joliet Deputy Fire Chief Kirk Kelly said it's one of the biggest fires he's seen in his 30 years on the job.

More than 60 people work at the plant, which coats steel with molten zinc.

State fire investigators will look into what caused the fire.

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