Tim Olk traveled two hours south of Chicago to Hoopeston, Illinois, to capture the massive fire at a large tire recycling facility. The blaze, which erupted early Wednesday morning, has become one of the largest in the town's history, drawing firefighters from multiple departments across the region.
The fire broke out at J&R Used Tire Service Inc. on Maple Street around 5:20 a.m. When first responders arrived, the entire south end of the 400,000-square-foot brick building was already engulfed in flames. Fire Chief Cliff Crabtree described the situation as overwhelming, noting that the nature of the fire required a defensive approach. “Unfortunately, in this case, we lost the whole building,†he said.
Five employees were on-site when the fire started, but all managed to escape without serious injury. One worker was taken to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation and later released. The business, owned by Rodney and Janie Rogers, is one of the largest scrap tire haulers in the state, serving nearly 1,000 clients in Illinois and Indiana.
Local authorities evacuated nearby homes and businesses, sending residents to emergency shelters at the high school and local churches. Air quality was monitored by the Danville Fire Department’s hazardous materials team, while the Red Cross provided cooling tents to protect firefighters from heat exhaustion.
The effort to control the fire involved firefighters from Hoopeston, East Lynn, Wellington, Bismarck, and other surrounding areas. Water was brought in from various sources, including local companies and farmers, who used semis to transport water to portable tanks. Community support poured in, with volunteers bringing food and supplies to the front lines.
Firefighters expect the blaze to continue burning for several days, and officials warn that tire fires can be particularly difficult to extinguish. Smoke from the fire was visible as far as 20 miles away, creating dark, ominous clouds over the horizon.
Residents like Ted Inman, a 51-year resident of Hoopeston, called it the worst fire they had ever seen. As the community rallied together, the fire became not just a test of emergency response, but also a testament to the strength and compassion of those affected.
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