Extra-Alarm Warehouse Fire Caused by Heavy Equipment Inside Building

CHICAGO, IL — A piece of heavy equipment caused an extra-alarm fire that broke out Monday at an East Side warehouse, according to the Chicago Fire Department. But the building had no nearby hydrants, and firefighters needed to find alternative ways to get water to battle the blaze.

The fire at the Calumet River Terminal, 10740 Burley Ave., near 107th Street and the Calumet River, forced the department to shut down 106th Street from Torrence Avenue to South Avenue O. Railroad traffic near the blaze also was shut down so that a hose could obe run from the river to fight the fire, according to the CFD.

Firefighters searched the neighborhood around the warehouse for a water source, and one was found in the 10800 block of Burley. Crews finally were able to begin using a steady flow of water to fight the fire at about 5:40 p.m.

A hose wagon also was sent to the scene to provide water to fight the fire, and the Coast Guard was asked to help, too.

Explosions in the building were reported, and the fire department initially classified the blaze as a Level 1 haz-mat situation. That means there is the potential of hazardous materials contaminating the area around the fire, and firefighters need to investigate.

The department said there were "dangerous items" in the building, an active warehouse that ships and receives commercial metal products. The fire department's incident commander requested a mobile ventilation unit be brought to the scene at about 6:15 p.m.

At around 6 p.m., no injuries had been reported, the CFD said. The department will hold a briefing about the fire later Monday night.

Patch will continue to update this story.

UPDATED (6:41 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21)

Firefighters battle an extra-alarm blaze at a steel warehouse Monday, Nov. 21, on the East Side. (photos via Chicago Fire Department)

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