US silicones firm sued following deadly explosion

Waukegan, Illinois – Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul and state's attorney Michael Nerheim have filed a lawsuit against AB Specialty Silicones following an explosion and fire that killed four earlier in May.

Filed 31 May, the lawsuit aims to ensure environmental cleanup of the AB manufacturing site in Waukegan.

The suit alleges that the explosion at AB caused an unknown amount of chemicals to be released into the air, causing air pollution and also threatening the land and water near the facility.

It also alleges that contaminants released by the explosion and water used to extinguish the fire allowed chemicals to seep into storm sewers, contaminating a nearby wetland and lake.

The 3 May explosion caused extensive damage to the AB site and killed company co-owners Byron Biehn, and Allen Stevens along with third-shift production supervisor Jeff Cummings and quality control chemist Daniel Nicklas.

"As the community continues to recover from the trauma," said Raoul, "I have filed this lawsuit to protect residents and the environment from any chemical contamination."

In response to the lawsuit, AB issued a statement saying it was surprised and disappointed in the decision to sue the company.