A towering column of dark smoke and visible flames rose over Stickney on Wednesday evening, sending a plume that could be seen for miles and catching the attention of drivers along I‑55. The fire appeared to be centered near the 6100 block of West Pershing Road and was captured on video by a camera near Central Avenue shortly after 6:15 p.m.
Footage from a camera along I‑55 showed the massive plume, according to NBC Chicago. The outlet reported that authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment and that no additional details were available at the time.
Where the Blaze Was Reported
The 6100 block of West Pershing Road cuts through a pocket of the southwest suburbs lined with industrial and municipal facilities. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District operates its large Stickney Water Reclamation Plant just down the road at 6001 W. Pershing Road, underscoring how much heavy infrastructure sits in this corridor.
Not the First Time Smoke Towered Over Highways
It is the latest in a series of dramatic smoke plumes to hang over area expressways in recent months, including a pallet‑company blaze in Maywood and a structure fire near O’Hare that pushed dark smoke over I‑90, incidents documented by NBC Chicago. Those fires drew substantial emergency responses and, in some cases, temporary traffic detours while crews worked to get the flames under control.
How to Protect Yourself From Smoke
Public‑health guidance recommends limiting exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed, running an air cleaner or using a high‑efficiency HVAC filter if you have one, and avoiding strenuous activity outdoors while smoke is heavy, according to the U.S. EPA. The CDC's NIOSH guidance similarly urges employers and workers to monitor air quality, scale back outdoor tasks when smoke is present, and consider NIOSH‑approved respirators (used correctly and for short periods) when exposure cannot be avoided.
As of Wednesday evening, there were no confirmed updates on injuries, property damage, or the possible cause of the fire. Drivers and nearby residents may continue to see or smell smoke and are advised to check highway alerts and local public‑safety channels for updates before heading through the Pershing Road corridor.
