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Seneca Petroleum Explosion Leaves 1 Contract Worker Dead, Injures Another in Lemont, Illinois

Lemont, Illinois Refinery Explosion Lawyer | Seneca Petroleum Explosion Leaves 1 Dead

Undefeated Refinery Explosion Lawyers

A massive explosion at an oil refinery in Lemont, Illinois, tragically claimed a contractor’s life yesterday morning and sent his co-worker to the hospital.

Seneca Petroleum Explosion Victims Worked for M&J Industrial Services

The April 25th explosion erupted shortly after 9:30 a.m. at the Seneca Petroleum refinery located near 127th and New Avenue in Lemont, a suburb just outside of Chicago. The blast sent large plumes of black smoke into the air, downed nearby powerlines, and ignited a fire that would continue to burn for hours

Multiple roads around the refinery were closed as a result of the explosion and residents were told to avoid the area. However, officials said the incident did not involve the release of hazardous materials and maintained that there was no danger to the public. 

One worker was pronounced dead at the scene and another was transported to Silver Cross Hospital with minor injuries.  Both were contractors on-site with Cicero-based M&J Industrial Services.

Lemont Refinery Explosion Victim Was Highschool Wrestling Coach

“We are heartbroken and devastated by this tragedy,” M&J said in a statement released yesterday afternoon. “Although the equipment involved was not owned or operated by our company, we are cooperating with federal and state authorities in their investigation.”

Media reports have since identified the deceased worker as a 25-year-old man from Homewood, Illinois, who also served as a volunteer wrestling coach at Victor Andrew High School in Tinley Park.

“It’s going to be a loss in the community,” a fellow coach later told ABC-7. “Somebody who volunteers their time, you know, especially with the kids. It’s going to be rough for the kids. I feel for them.”

Explosion May Have Started in an Asphalt Tank

So far, it’s not clear what may have caused the Seneca Petroleum explosion. However, according to the Will County Sherriff’s office, it may have started in an asphalt tank. News footage of the scene does show damage to several circular tanks on the grounds of the refinery, with large pieces of debris scattered about and yellow railing hanging from more than one tank. 

The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has sent a team to the scene of the Lemont refinery explosion.

“OSHA has opened an investigation with a contractor on the site, M&J Industrial Services, where one of their employees was fatally injured and another was injured at a workplace incident at Seneca Petroleum Company in Lemont, IL,” an OSHA spokesperson told NBC 5.

“OSHA has also opened an investigation with Seneca Petroleum Company. No further information will be available until OSHA has completed their investigation, which by law, they have 6 months to complete.”

The Will County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Fire Marshal are also investigating the Seneca Petroleum explosion.

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Our Undefeated Refinery Explosion Lawyers will continue to monitor developments related to the Seneca Petroleum explosion and post updates as new information becomes available.

In addition to being undefeated, our attorneys have won Billions and consistently recover record-breaking verdicts and settlements – including the #1 Largest Oil Field Burn Settlement in U.S. History – on behalf of workers injured and tragically killed in connection with refinery explosions and other industrial disasters.

If you or a loved one were injured in the deadly Lemont refinery explosion on April 25, 2023, call 1-888-603-3636, use the “chat” button on our homepage, or click here to send us a confidential email through our “Contact Us” form.

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