Shelter-In-Place Lifted: Morning Hazmat Fire Disrupts Three Metro East Communities

SAUGET - A hazardous materials fire prompted officials to order residents and businesses to shelter in place Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, 2026, in parts of Sauget, Cahokia Heights and East St. Louis, south of Missouri Avenue between South 50th Street and South 19th Street, before the order was lifted at 8:56 a.m., the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency said.

The agency said the fire involved trichloroisocyanuric acid, which it described as an irritant to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The agency said exposure should be avoided if possible.

An Everbridge notification was sent to phones in the affected area after the shelter-in-place order was issued. Officials instructed people to remain in their homes or businesses, close windows, and refrain from using systems that bring outside air inside.

At 5:40 a.m., the agency said crews were working on plume control using water. The agency said the product is reactive to water and that crews were working to secure runoff from the incident.

At 5:55 a.m., the shelter-in-place area was extended to State Street in East St. Louis as the plume expanded to the north, the agency said.

The East St. Louis School District canceled classes on Aug. 12 because of the fire.

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