Extra-Alarm Warehouse Fire Struck Out
CHICAGO (STMW) -- AAn extra-alarm fire that burned for more than two hours Saturday afternoon at a warehouse building in the Lower West Side Pilsen neighborhood interrupted service on the CTA's Pink Line.
A 4-11 alarm was called for the fire in the 2400 block of West 21st Place about 1:45 p.m. By about 2:40 p.m. the building had started to collapse, Fire Media Affairs reported. The fire was struck out at approximately 3:50 p.m.
Service on the CTA's Pink Line was suspended between the Central Park and 18th Street stations because of the fire, which is near CTA property between California and Western avenues.
As a result, Pink Line trains were operating only in two sections, between 54th/Cermak and Central Park, and between 18th and the Loop. This service interruption was still in effect as of about 6 p.m.
The building is a 2-story, 100-feet by 300-feet factory and was fully engulfed in flames. No injuries have been reported from the fire, according to Fire Media. The building had started to collapse as of about 2:40 p.m., according to Fire Media.
A 4-11 alarm sends 16 engines, four trucks, two tower ladders, five battalion chiefs, one deputy district chief, one district chief, a deputy fire commissioner, the fire commissioner, a command van and an ambulance to the scene.
An EMS Plan I, which sends at least five ambulances to the scene, and a Level I Hazardous Materials response were also called for this fire. The EMS plan was secured about 2 p.m.
CTA Shuttle buses were available to provide connecting service through the affected area between between 18th and Central Park. Pink Line riders should also consider using the No. 21 Cermak bus as alternate service between 54th/Cermak and Polk, the CTA says.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
