Massive Fire Sweeps Through Carpet Warehouse
UPDATED 12/03/10 4:45 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) - An extra-alarm fire swept through a carpet warehouse on busy Lincoln Avenue Friday morning, and later spread to an adjoining building.
The fire broke out at the Peerless Rug warehouse, a single-story building at 3026-28 N. Lincoln Ave. Flames also spread to the adjoining building at a 2 1/2 story building just to the north at 3030 N. Lincoln Ave., which houses Peerless Tile on the lower floor and has apartments above.
The fire was later elevated to a 2-11 alarm, and by around 9:18 a.m. had been raised further to a 3-11 alarm. More 100 firefighters were called to the scene. The fire's cause remained under investigation.
The Peerless retail store across the street from the fire wasn't burned, but owner Philip Liss says losing the old warehouse is tough because it was home to a lot of family history. His parents, Milton and Ida Liss, opened the business in 1938. Phil started working here at age nine.
"I'm a sentimental type of guy, anyway," Liss told CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez. "I'm hurting inside. I'm trying to put on a good face."
The fire started around 7:30 a.m. About two hours later, it was raging violently and had ripped through the roof. By just before 11 a.m., the fire was under control but firefighters were still pouring water on the building.
By 11 a.m., firefighters were performing overhaul operations and extinquishing hot spots. But the Peerless Rug warehouse was left in shambles. The prominent green sign that hung over the sidewalk for many years was left lying on its side on the ground.
No one was in the rug warehouse, and everyone escaped the Peerless Tile building safely, fire officials said.
CBS 2's Kris Habermehl says the deep, old-construction building where the fire started has a common void space under the roof, which allowed the fire easily to spread laterally.
Habermehl also says the synthetic fibers and polyurethane foam in the carpet samples in the building likely made the fire burn long and especially hot. Polyurethane fibers put out considerably more thermal energy than dry Christmas trees when burned. The synthetic fibers can also put out toxic smoke.
Firefighters say they went by the book on this one, being careful to wear their masks and take precautions.
The only injury reported was a minor burn to a firefighter's cheek, according to a Belmont District police lieutenant. The firefighter was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center but had been released as of late Friday afternoon.
Police closed Lincoln Avenue from Belmont and Ashland avenues to Lakewood Avenue and George Street. They also closed Southport Avenue from Belmont Avenue to Lincoln and Wellington avenues. Parts of Barry Avenue, Nelson Street and Wellington Avenue were also closed.
St. Alphonsus Academy, located nearby at 1439 W. Wellington Ave., was reportedly evacuated.
Peerless is one of several rug and carpet shops located along that stretch of Lincoln Avenue. The Grand River Bar and Grill, the Flourish Studios art gallery and counseling center, Right-On Futon and the Chicago Antique Centre are also located nearby.
Liss, the carpet warehouse owner, said he plans to build a better, more modern warehouse to carry on the family business.
"When I saw my daughter's arrive, I started to cry," he said. "It's hard but I think tomorrow's another day."
CBS 2's Kris Habermehl, Roseanne Tellez and the Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
