Pallet Fire Ignites Semi Trucks Outside Aurora Business

AURORA, IL -- It took Aurora firefighters nearly an hour to put out the fire that ripped through wooden pallets, three semi-trucks, and two storage tanks outside of a business Wednesday afternoon. Fire officials say the pallets caused a chain reaction after they were ignited by a cardboard box filled with hot plastic left nearby.

The fire broke out around 2:30 p.m. in the 800 block of Russell Avenue, according to a news release from Battalion Chief Jim Rhodes. Rhodes said 32 firefighters battled the blaze to keep it confined in the building's rear storage area.

According to Rhodes, an employee had left a cardboard box filled with hot plastic near the pallets. The employee reportedly used water in an attempt to put out the fire and then left the storage area before the box reignited and the fire spread.

No firefighters or civilians were injured, according to Rhodes. The total damage was estimated at $150,000.