A massive column of black smoke shot into the sky over Chicago's far Northwest Side on Wednesday evening, turning heads from the Kennedy Expressway to neighborhoods near O'Hare. Drivers on I-90 and residents nearby watched the dark plume rise as flames pushed from the roof of a building, drawing a heavy response from firefighters and a flurry of social media posts.
Fire on East River Road
Around 6:15 p.m., video shared on social media showed thick smoke and visible flames at a building in the 5500 block of North East River Road, roughly four miles from O'Hare International Airport, according to NBC Chicago. In the clips, flames appeared to shoot from the roof while people on nearby roads recorded the growing plume from their cars and sidewalks. Authorities reported no injuries, the outlet noted.
Airport, Traffic and Response
Local television crews quickly flagged the fire as being west of O'Hare, and reported that the blaze did not involve the airport or any aircraft. A video from the scene captured from above showed heavy smoke billowing as firefighters worked the incident, according to CBS Chicago. As of Wednesday evening, there were no immediate reports that airport operations had been affected.
Fire Knocked Down
Authorities told reporters that crews had the flames knocked down and the fire out by about 7:10 p.m., with no injuries reported at the scene, per NBC Chicago. Officials did not immediately give a possible cause, saying investigators would move in once the structure was safe to enter. Fire crews remained on site afterward to conduct final checks and make sure hot spots were fully out.
What We Do Not Know Yet
Officials have not yet released information about who occupies the building or what started the fire, and it is still unclear whether any hazardous materials were inside. Questions remain about the property itself and how extensive the damage is. This story will be updated as the Chicago Fire Department or other authorities release additional details to local media.
