An enormous extra-alarm fire engulfed and destroyed a West Town pallet company during the Tuesday evening rush, despite scores of firefighters and equipment summoned to the scene.
The fire that covered the neighborhood in black smoke and suspended nearby Metra service, erupted at the pallet company at 2029 W. Hubbard St. around 5:50 p.m. after the facility had closed for the day, Chicago Fire District Chief Jim McDonough told reporters Tuesday evening near the still-smoldering scene.
Aided by strong winds, the fire consumed the building and about 20,000 pallets stored within it, McDonough said, calling the structure “completely lost.” Public records list the business as Commercial Pallet.
None of the employees were injured, but two firefighters suffered minor injuries while battling the blaze, officials said.
A 4-11 alarm triggers one of the largest responses the department can signal, summoning vast amounts of firefighting personnel, equipment and the fire commissioner. Fire officials also called for a hazardous materials response due to the fire being near a fertilizer facility, though officials later said neighboring buildings only suffered minor damage.
Flames were visible from the intersection of North Damen and West Hubbard, into the evening hours.
While the fire was largely extinguished, fire crews were expected to remain at the scene throughout the night, checking for hotspots.