Firefighters battle West Town blaze and weather’s high heat

Chicago fire crews battled a massive extra-alarm fire Tuesday at a commercial building in West Town.

The three-alarm blaze broke out about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at Commercial Pallet, 2029 W. Hubbard St., according to the Chicago Fire Department. It was upgraded to a four-alarm fire shortly before 7 p.m.

A number of pallets at the building were ablaze, producing billowing smoke that could be seen for miles. More than 200 firefighters and multiple engines worked to put out the fire, officials said.

Chief Jim McDonough, of the Chicago Fire Department’s 1st District, said at a news conference at the scene that the owner reported there were 20,000 pallets stored on the property. McDonough said the fire was believed to have started in the warehouse where the pallets are located.

He said the business employs 18 people but closed at 3 p.m., so the building was empty when the fire started.

Firefighters battled not only the heat from the flames but also the scorching 90-degree weather, he said.

“It’s very warm out tonight, we had to switch guys up, rotate them to get them checked out,” he said. “Refreshments, take their blood pressure, make sure they’re OK.”

McDonough said two firefighters suffered “very minor” injuries and were taken to a hospital in good condition. No other injuries were reported.

The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications said the fire damaged a nearby train track. Metra’s Union Pacific West, Milwaukee District West, Milwaukee North and North Central Service lines were stopped due to the damage, the agency said. All rail service was restored by 8 p.m.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Chicago fire crews remained at the site throughout the night to make sure flames didn’t reignite. There was a small rekindle, but firefighters cleared the scene early Wednesday morning, officials said.