Milwaukee Shut Down By Multi-Alarm Furniture Store Fire

CHICAGO, IL — A three-alarm fire at a furniture store closed Milwaukee Avenue in the Avondale neighborhood Thursday morning. Plumes of smoke were visible for miles as fire crews battled the blaze.

North Milwaukee Avenue was closed between Belmont and Kimball, CTA #56 buses were rerouted and many other streets were closed in the area, according to traffic reporters.

The Chicago Fire Department responded a report of a fire at the Famsa store at 2945 N. Milwaukee Ave around 7:40 a.m. with flames visible through the roof. Within about five minutes the fire was upgraded to a 2-11 alarm.

Firefighters evacuated the immediate area and worked to protect nearby homes and businesses. It was raised to a third alarm (3-11) at about 8:40 a.m., as the fire department reported the roof had collapsed.

The store was not yet open and no one was inside the building at the time the fire alarm was triggered, according to the department. Famsa is Mexico-based chain of stores that sell appliances, electronics, furniture and other household goods with four locations in Chicago.

There have been no immediate reports of injuries.

Those passing through the area have been encouraged to find alternate routes.

#BreakingNews: #Chicago firefighters are battling a large fire at a furniture store on Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square. pic.twitter.com/HFkUnqJy6n
— nwsgrl (@nwsgrl) June 1, 2017

Firefighters responding to extra-alarm blaze in Logan Square, at Milwaukee and Central Park. pic.twitter.com/rBCilqD9qi
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) June 1, 2017

UPDATE:

The Chicago Fire Department said the blaze was extinguished around 10:45 a.m. The Famsa store is extensively burned, but fire fighters managed to save neighboring buildings on both sides.

The Department of Buildings is working with the building's owner to begin demolishing the structure shortly.

Milwaukee Avenue will remain closed through Thursday, according to the department.

Top photo: Chicago Fire Department