Fourth Victim of Waukegan Blast Identified, Friday Memorial Planned

Emergency personnel work at the scene of an explosion at AB Specialty Silicones on Sunset Ave. and Northwestern Ave. on the border between Gurnee and Waukegan. The explosion happened Friday, May 3. (John Starks / Daily Herald via AP)Emergency personnel work at the scene of an explosion at AB Specialty Silicones on Sunset Ave. and Northwestern Ave. on the border between Gurnee and Waukegan. The explosion happened Friday, May 3. (John Starks / Daily Herald via AP)

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — Officials have identified the fourth victim of an explosion at a northern Illinois silicone plant and say a memorial is planned Friday morning at the site.

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AB Specialty Silicones general manager Mac Penman on Thursday identified the final employee who died in the May 3 blast as 24-year-old Daniel Nicklas of Beach Park. Waukegan Fire Marshal Steve Lenzi says the body was recovered late Tuesday from the rubble, about 50 miles north of Chicago.

Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said his office would use dental records or DNA to officially confirm Nicklas’ identity.

Lenzi has said there is no evidence of foul play and the explosion appears to be an accident that happened within the processes at the factory. Penman says the company “has resolved to re-open.”


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