Hundreds of firefighters on Thursday battled a fire that engulfed an auto parts warehouse in Lawndale on the West Side.
Crews worked through large plumes of smoke and heavy flames for more than three hours, finally extinguishing the blaze shortly after noon, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt.
Firefighters were called about 8:45 a.m. after flames were seen shooting through the roof of the Best Value Autobody Supply Inc. warehouse at 4425 W. 16th St., Merritt said.
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Merritt said the building was a total loss, with crews focusing on keeping the blaze from spreading to the adjacent building, a steel supplier.
One civilian affiliated with the warehouse was transported to a hospital about 10 a.m., but the injury was unrelated to the fire, Merritt said. No other injuries were reported.
More than 250 firefighters and 90 engines and trucks were called to the fire, which was considered a hazardous materials incident due to the nature of some of the items stored in the building, Merritt said.
At the scene, firefighters could be seen taking turns blasting water at the burnt facade of the building, spraying through broken windows.
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) December 10, 2020
Heat from the fire could be felt across a smoke-filled 16th Street between Kilbourn and Kostner avenues.
Crews had been called Thursday morning by someone inside the building, Merritt said. Within an hour, the fire had spread and the fire was upgraded to a four-alarm.
The warehouse holds more than 100,000 auto parts, according to its website.
Kevin Vivetter, 29, lives nearby and walked over to see — and livestream — the fire.
Vivetter walked up and down 16th Street, mask on, phone out, through the smoke that filled the block.
“I’m just trying to understand how this happened, I mean, it’s great they were able to contain the fire but it’s scary,” he said. “I want to be a firefighter so I’m also here seeing how they do things.”
3-11 Alarm and Level 1 Hazmat at 4425 W. 16th. Commercial building with no transports or injuries thus far. Companies are working (4-1-10). pic.twitter.com/8pCzHhkETQ
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) December 10, 2020
