CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Hundreds of firefighters on Thursday battled a fire that had completely engulfed an auto parts warehouse in Lawndale on the West Side.
Crews worked through large plumes of smoke and heavy flames for more than three hours, finally extinguishing the blaze shortly after noon, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt.
Firefighters were called at about 8:45 a.m. for flames shooting through the roof of a warehouse, Best Value Autobody Supply Inc. at 4425 W. 16th St., Merritt said.
Merritt said the building was completely engulfed and a total loss. After two hours, crews worked defensively to keep the blaze from spreading to the adjacent building, a steel supplier, Merritt said.
One civilian affiliated with the warehouse was transported to a hospital about 10 a.m., but the injury was unrelated to the fire, Merritt said. No other injuries were reported.
More than 250 firefighters and 90 engines and trucks were called to the fire, which was considered a hazardous materials incident due to the material inside the building, Merritt said.
At the scene, firefighters could be seen taking turns blasting water at the burnt facade of the building, spraying through broken windows.
Heat from the fire could be felt across the street as smoke wafted over 16th Street between Kilbourn and Kostner avenues.
Crews were called that morning by someone inside the building, claiming to see flames shooting through the roof, Merritt said. Within and hour, the fire had spread and the fire was upgraded to a four-alarm.
The warehouse holds more than 100,000 auto parts, according to its website.
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