Published on December 17, 2025 2:30 pm
Last Updated on December 17, 2025 2:30 pm
(SOME OF WHAT IS LEFT OF ILMO PRODUCTS IN MATTOON TODAY…thanks to Flex for the photo)
Fire destroyed ILMO Products in Mattoon Tuesday evening.
Mattoon firefighters were dispatched to the business at 4112 Lake Land Boulevard for a possible structure fire with explosions at 6:15pm. Mattoon Fire Chief Jeff Hilligoss said while enroute, a glow could be seen from over a mile away, so a box and second alarm was struck at 6:17pm. Charleston Fire Department’s ladder truck was requested along with tenders from Lincoln and Wabash Fire Protection Districts in anticipation of setting up a water shuttle operation.
Crews arrived on scene at 6:21pm and found an approximate 100-by-50-foot commercial pole style building fully involved. Multiple explosions were occurring. US Route 45 was shut down to traffic in both directions, along with County Highway 13, the county road traveling behind the fire. Additional tenders were requested from Humboldt, Cooks Mill and Neoga Fire Protection Districts.
With the compressed gas and hazards at the facility, a plan for possible evacuations was put in place, with the greatest concerning gas being anhydrous ammonia. The recommended evacuation area was one mile. The closest populated area that was downwind was Old State Village on the south side of Old State Road. Hilligoss thanked Mattoon Police Department, Coles County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Land Police Department, and Windsor Police Department for their help with the plan and securing the surrounding scene.
The fire was considered under control at 8:53pm with the chances of continued explosions and chemical releases greatly reduced. At approximately 9:30pm the water shuttle operation was shut down and mutual aid companies were released. All Mattoon fire units cleared the scene at 11:38pm. An investigator from the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Mattoon fire units cleared the scene at 11:38pm.
The Mattoon Fire Department is thanking these agencies for their assistance: Coles/Moultrie 911, Mattoon Police Department, Charleston Fire Department, Mattoon Public Works Department, Lincoln Fire Protection District, Wabash Fire Protection District, Humboldt Fire Protection District, Cooks Mill Fire Protection District, Neoga Fire Protection District, Coles County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Land College Police Department, Windsor Police Department, Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative, Ameren Gas, and IDOT.
