A fast-moving blaze tore through a commercial storage building in unincorporated Elgin on Sunday afternoon, gutting the structure but sparing anyone from injury. Bartlett Fire District crews were called around 4:15 p.m. to the 31 W 400 block of Spaulding Road, northwest of Chicago, where neighbors watched heavy smoke billow as firefighters moved in to knock the flames down.
Firefighters quickly elevated the incident to a Level 2 working fire after arriving to what the district described as heavy fire and tough conditions. Crews stretched multiple hose lines, secured a water supply from nearby hydrants and swept the building to make sure nobody was trapped inside, as reported by CBS Chicago.
How crews fought the blaze
Roughly 46 firefighters, using six engines and five ladder trucks, were assigned to battle the fire, and drones were deployed overhead to help find lingering hot spots. Responders also carried out an interior search to confirm there were no victims inside, as reported by the Daily Herald.
Scene and damage
Photos released by the fire district showed an overhead door and shelving stocked with what appeared to be machine parts, a snapshot of a workspace left twisted and charred. The building was described as severely damaged and uninhabitable. The blaze was brought under control by about 6:30 p.m., although officials said damage estimates were not yet available, as reported by CBS Chicago.
Investigation Underway
The property has been described in local reports as a junkyard storage area, and neighbors told crews they believed the fire may have started outside before racing into the building. The cause remains under investigation, the paper said, as reported by the Daily Herald.
Officials had not released damage estimates as of Monday and continued to report no injuries. This story will be updated as agencies release additional information.
