Several fire departments went to Seneca last night for a biodiesel fuel plant fire. It was at Renewable Energy Group. It has operated the former Nova Biosource facility since 2010. The company says it produces 60 million gallons of biodiesel in Seneca every year and ships it out via train, truck, and barge. The Grand Ridge and Marseilles fire departments were among those called to help Seneca. That fire started about 7pm.
REG Vice President of Communications Natalie Merrill says no one was hurt in the fire. Biodiesel production has been halted while damage is assessed. The company must determine what it can produce and how much.
A fire was reported at U.S. Silica this morning. It happened before 3am. The Naplate Fire Department called for fire fighting help from Ottawa and for ambulance personnel from Utica. Naplate Fire Chief John Nevins says it was a small fire in one machine six stories up in one of the sand processing buildings. He says no one was hurt and the fire didn’t spread outside the machine.