Officials Deem Arlington Heights Explosion 'Accidental'

Updated at 7:30 p.m.

Earlier this morning, a machine exploded inside an Arlington Heights manufacturing company in the 3600 block of North Kennicott Avenue Tuesday morning, killing one person and injuring 10 others.

At about 9 a.m. firefighters responded to a call of an explosion at Arens Controls, a company that manufactures and tests electrical parts. According to CBS Chicago, the explosion occured in the back of the building and early reports show it may have caused by a bad chemical reaction.

“It looks strictly accidental,” Captain Ken Galinski said Tuesday afternoon. Officials are trying to figure out what exactly happen with the machine that exploded, Arlington Heights Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen explained.

Of the 10 injured, two were Arlington Heights policemen and one from Buffalo Grove. The other seven were Arens Controls employees that have been treated for concussions but nothing life threatening, Galinski said.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the scene and will do so for the next couple of days, Ericksen said.

“There is no health risk and everything is secure,” said Andrew Whowell Arlington Heights Police Department commander.

The plant will remain closed until further notice.