CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago firefighters battled an extra-alarm blaze Saturday evening in a warehouse in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
The fire started shortly before 6:30 p.m. in a truck and trailer repair warehouse in the 4100 block of South Oakley Avenue. It was elevated to a 2-11 alarm fire around 6:45 p.m., and by 7:20 p.m., it had been elevated to a 3-11 alarm, which meant at least 12 fire engines, four fire trucks, two tower ladders, and approximately 125 firefighters were responding to the fire.
A Level 1 hazardous materials response also was initiated. According to unconfirmed fire dispatch reports, there were explosions inside the building after the fire started.
The business is called Quality Truck & Trailer, and neighbors said it is a long-running family-owned business. Neighbors said they called the owner to check on him after learning about the fire, and he was overcome with emotion.
Neighbors said they heard explosions from the warehouse before firefighters arrived.