Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood was the site of an intense blaze on Friday night at a historic felt factory building, sending firefighters scrambling to control the fire. ABC7 Chicago reported that emergency crews responded to the three-story commercial building around 9:30 p.m. at the 4100 block of West Ogden Avenue. Despite the rapid response, by 10:30 p.m., the building was engulfed, and the Chicago Fire Department continued efforts to contain the fire into the night.
The Western Felt Works building, a noted piece of Chicago's industrial past and on Preservation Chicago's Endangered List, proved to be a challenge for firefighters. The blaze was elevated to a 3-11 alarm fire which, being gutted the building by the flames, automatically dispatched a significant emergency response including approximately 125 firefighters, as described by CBS News Chicago. The structure at 4115 W. Ogden Ave., just a block west of Pulaski Road, had flames shooting from the roof as thick smoke billowed out.
According to reports, the Western Felt Works has roots stretching back to 1899, with the current building dating from 1916. It stands as a symbol of Chicago's rich manufacturing history, particularly its role in the textile industry. Despite the fire now being extinguished, the damage poses a considerable loss to the community.
There's been no immediate information regarding the cause of the fire or if there were any injuries. Investigations into the incident's origin are ongoing.
