Tim Olk traveled to Hoopeston, Illinois—two hours south of Chicago—to capture the massive fire at a large tire recycling facility. The scene was chaotic and intense, with flames engulfing a significant portion of the 400,000-square-foot building. Firefighters from multiple departments, including Hoopeston, Danville, and surrounding areas, worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control.
The fire broke out early Wednesday morning at J&R Used Tire Service Inc., located on Maple Street. When firefighters arrived, the south end of the facility was already in flames. Officials warned that the fire could burn for days due to the nature of the materials involved. "From the start, it's been an overwhelming day," said Hoopeston Fire Chief Cliff Crabtree. "We knew we had to take a defensive approach because of the type of fire."
Despite their efforts, the building was largely lost. However, all five employees present at the time managed to escape without serious injury. One employee was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation but was later released. The company’s owners, Rodney and Janie Rogers, were working to secure insurance and plan for a quick restart, with support from other recyclers in the region.
Residents near the facility were evacuated, and emergency shelters were set up at local schools and churches. Air quality was monitored by the Danville Fire Department’s hazardous materials team. Meanwhile, the community rallied behind the firefighters, offering supplies, water, and even food delivered via golf carts to those on the front lines.
Smoke from the fire was visible as far as 20 miles away, creating dark clouds that loomed over the horizon. The smell of burning rubber filled the air, and the scale of the disaster was undeniable. "This is the worst fire I've seen in my life," said one longtime resident.
As the battle against the fire continued, the support from the community was described as overwhelming. "Phones have been ringing off the hook with people wanting to help," said Crabtree. "It’s incredible to see how everyone has come together."
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