Grundy Reporter

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) took to Facebook to honor Morris Fire Chief Tracey Steffes for receiving an honor from the American Red Cross.

“Congratulations to (Chief Steffes) on being selected as this year’s Firefighter Hero by the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago,” Rezin wrote on Facebook.

Steffes was honored for his actions last summer during an industrial fire at an abandoned paper mill in Morris. The fire caused the evacuation of at least 1,000 homes in Grundy County.

According to Shaw Local, after “nearly 200,000 lithium batteries exploded, and a massive fire with toxic fumes erupted, posing a serious threat to the health of his community. Chief Steffes led the effort to evacuate thousands of people from the area; nearly one-third of the city’s residents.”

“These batteries range in size of a cell phone to a little bigger than a car battery. As they get wet, they short out and they ignite and explode. That is the problem we are having,” Steffes said at the time of the fire, according to ABC 7. “The biggest hazard we have is the smoke and fumes as well as the gas from the fire. Highly poisonous and very deadly.”

After consulting state and federal officials, Steffes made the decision to let the fire burn.

“Chief Steffes’ poise, quick actions and leadership during an unprecedented disaster likely saved the lives of countless residents of Morris,” Celena Roldán, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Illinois, said, according to ABC 7.