1984 Romeoville petroleum refinery disaster

On July 23, 1984, an explosion and fire took place at a Union Oil petroleum refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, outside Chicago, killing 17 people and causing major property damage. The explosive force propelled the upper portion 14 metres (46 ft) of the vessel a distance of 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from its original location, while the base remained at the center of the resultant fire.

1984 Romeoville petroleum refinery disaster

On July 23, 1984, an explosion and fire took place at a Union Oil petroleum refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, outside Chicago, killing 17 people and causing major property damage. The explosive force propelled the upper portion 14 metres (46 ft) of the vessel a distance of 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from its original location, while the base remained at the center of the resultant fire.