Two workers and a Bridgeview firefighter were injured in a fire Friday morning at the Bedford Park Ingredion food-processing plant.
Bedford Park firefighters responded at 8:36 a.m. April 10 to Ingredion for an industrial structure fire in the 6400 block of South Archer Road.
Fire officials said the blaze broke out after a food processing machine caught fire and sent black smoke billowing from the site.
Most employees escaped unharmed, but during a search of the structure two workers were found with second-degree facial burns and taken by ambulance to Loyola University Medical Center.
A Bridgeview firefighter suffered minor second-degree burns while at the scene. He was treated at the scene and taken to Loyola University Medical Center.
“One of our firefighters sustained non-life-threatening burn injuries this morning while working at a structure fire. We are thankful to report that they have been discharged and are recovering at home at this time,” Bridgeview Fire Fighters Local 4330 posted on Facebook.
The fire was brought under control at about 9 a.m. but firefighters were on the scene for at least an hour to ventilate the building, conduct overhaul operations and check for any hotspots . There was no hazardous materials response.
The company said the fire was in the extraction facility where oil is extracted from corn germ. The injured workers were checking on a dust collector when the fire started.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire officials had no damage estimate.
The plant has about 390 employees and work was shut down during the incident.
“I want to commend our firefighters and our mutual aid fire departments including Bridgeview, Burbank, Summit, Roberts Park, Lyons, and Forest View fire departments for their outstanding work,” said Bedford Park Fire Chief Dan Johnson. “Their quick, professional response brought the incident under control safely and ensured prompt care for those injured.”
