A fire erupted in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago on Wednesday, Sept. 25, as workers were clearing objects from the basement.
Workers were cutting and removing old tanks in the lower level of the 5-story warehouse when one of the tanks, filled with an unknown substance, ignited.
The blaze, reported just after 12 p.m., caused dense smoke to fill the room. First responders were initially unable to enter. A mobile ventilation unit, however, was able to use pressure to clear the air. Around 1:45 p.m. firefighters with "extended time air bottles" entered the basement and discovered the source of the blaze. The fire, limited to the interior of the building, was not burning the structure itself. Fire suppression techniques were put into action and by 2:46 p.m., the fire was put out.
The warehouse, located approximately 6 miles west of downtown Chicago, used to be the location of a furniture company. Officials suspect that glue may have been left in the tank that erupted.
Multiple ambulances were called to the scene, but no injuries were reported.
Industrial Safety News brought to you by Safety Systems Technology, Inc., leaders in fire and gas detection.
