Over a hundred firefighters swarmed an old school building in West Town on Monday evening to tackle a blazing inferno. The fire triggered a substantial response from the Chicago Fire Department at the intersection of West Maypole Avenue and North Western Avenue, with smoke billowing as crews worked to extinguish the flames. As per a statement obtained by WLS, individuals were spotted fleeing the scene, leading to speculation that the fire may have been started by a group inside the building.
Details from CBS Chicago revealed the site as the former R. Nathaniel Dett Elementary School, which has been vacant since the sweeping closures of 50 public schools in 2013 by the city. The 2-11 alarm response brought nearly 100 firefighters to the scene, along with 32 pieces of equipment to manage the situation.
Amid the chaos, smoke shrouded the defunct school's courtyard while first responders strategized amidst reduced visibility. According to the WLS interview, one firefighter noted the challenge: "Somebody said they saw kids running away as the generator came out. It was hard to get to and see and ventilate." In the fray, one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion but is expected to recover. There was no immediate word on any other injuries.
The building at 2306 W. Maypole Ave. had stood as an idle monument to the city's troubled past with school management and utilization. Previous plans to transform the site into a women and girls' resource center had fizzled, as reports by CBS Chicago indicated an incomplete deal. The cause of the fire remains uncertain, with investigators combing through the aftermath to piece together how the incident began.
