March 20--An extra-alarm fire overnight destroyed an industrial building on the Southwest Side that housed several businesses, including one that produces chemicals for fire extinguishers, but no injuries were reported, authorities said.
The two-story building in the 3800 block of West 38th Street was engulfed in flames by the time fire crews arrived shortly after 9 p.m.
The fire was brought under control shortly before midnight, but crews remained on scene for several hours, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
Langford said a hazardous materials alert was called because several chemicals were stored on the site, but crews later determined the chemicals did not pose a risk.
"We have found no danger to the public," he said. "The smoke is not causing any harm."
Flames from the blaze could be spotted from the nearby Stevenson Expressway, and heavy black smoke billowed across the interstate as crews worked.
"There was a lot of fire when the companies first arrived on the scene, which is the reason the alarms were escalated as quickly they were," said First Deputy Fire Commissioner Charles Stewart.
More than 150 firefighters responded to the blaze, which collapsed the building's roof and caused extensive damage. Their efforts were hampered by a poor water supply from a private system that lacked enough hydrants, Langford said.
Crews performed an "inline operation," using six firetrucks spaced out over at least a mile and connected by hoses to get water to the scene, officials said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
In 2011, a building next door sustained extensive damage in an extra-alarm fire.
