Mattoon Fire Department Responds To Fire At ILMO Product Company

On Tuesday 12/16/2025 The Mattoon Fire Department was dispatched to 4112 Lakeland Blvd. for a possible structure fire with explosions at 6:15 PM. While enroute a glow could be seen from over a mile away, a box and second alarm was struck at 6:17 PM, Charleston Fire Departments ladder truck was requested along with tenders from Lincoln FPD, and Wabash FPD in anticipation of setting up a water shuttle operation. Crews arrived on scene at 6:21 PM and found an approximate 100X50 commercial pole style building fully involved. This business was ILMO products, and multiple explosions were occurring. Rt. 45 was shut down in both directions to traffic, along with CH 13, the county road traveling behind the fire. Additional tenders were requested from Humboldt, Cooks Mill, and Neoga FPD’s. Once an established water supply was secured, there were 2 ariel master streams, and 2 ground monitors were in operation flowing over 3,000 gpm of water onto this fire.

With the compressed gas and hazards at this facility, a plan was put into place for possible evacuations. The most concerning gas at this fire that required the farthest evacuation distance was anhydrous ammonia. The recommended evacuation was 1 mile. The wind was in our favor out of the SW at 15 mph which was sending the smoke and toxic gases into an open farm field. The closest populated area that was downwind in the potential path of the toxic smoke and gas travel was Old State Village located on the South side of Old State Road. These residences were 1.1 miles from the location of the fire. All downwind areas were checked multiple times by Mattoon Police Department and the Coles County Sheriff’s Department. The anhydrous ammonia tanks were constantly visualized and monitored for any leaks; the firefighters did a fabulous job keeping these tanks from being involved in fire. The other compressed gases that were involved in fire had 650 feet or less evacuation areas. I would like to thank Mattoon Police Department, Coles County Sherrif’s deputies, Lakeland Police Department, and Windsor Police Department for their help with this part of the plan and securing the surrounding scene.

Two separate hydrant locations were determined for fill sites to refill the tenders with the assistance of water plant superintendent Heather McFarland. These locations were 19th and Marion and 12th and Marshall.

This fire was considered under control at 8:53 PM with the chances of continued explosions and chemical releases greatly reduced. Crews continued to monitor and extinguish spot fires within the structure. At approximately 9:30 the water shuttle operation was shut down, and mutual aid companies were released.

There were no injuries reported at this fire. An investigator from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall was requested and arrived on scene to investigate this fire. All Mattoon fire units cleared the scene at 11:38 PM.

The Mattoon Fire Department would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this fire. Coles/Moultrie 911 (Ccom), Mattoon Police Department, Charleston Fire Department, Mattoon Public Works Department, Lincoln FPD, Wabash FPD, Humboldt FPD, Cooks Mill FPD, Neoga FPD, Coles County Sheriff’s Department, Lakeland College PD, Windsor PD, Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, Ameren Gas, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Thank you to McDonalds for the coffee and hot chocolate that they provided to the firefighters on scene.

It is such a blessing to work alongside such dedicated men and women who take great pride in keeping our community safe. Last night was truly a team effort from several different agencies within the county. Each agency demonstrated great compassion for doing whatever was asked of them for the safety of our community. If you know one of the responders who had a hand in assisting with this incident, you should be proud. I know that I am extremely proud of all of them and blessed to work alongside each of them.