Alsip Fire Department 5-1 1 Alarm Fire Plus A Spe cial Call For A T ask Forc e From Chicago Fire 11150 S. Ci cero Ave Fox Lumber Yard
25 Fire Depts. Squash Blaze In South Suburbs
Blaze Interrputed ComEd Service for 2500 Customers
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Alsip, Ill. (CBS) ― Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of a lumber yard fire Sunday evening.
Flames broke out at about noon and spread quickly at the Fox Home Center at 111th Street and Cicero Ave. in Alsip and the hoses are still going more than 10 hours after the fire began.
By the time Fox Home Center owner and president John Laird arrived, the five-alarm fire was already devouring the business his parents opened in 1962.
"It kind of takes your breath away," Laird said.
With flames of 150-feet and clouds of black smoke, it was hard to see what he was going to lose. Fox Home Center sells hardware, plumbing and electrical products. The smoke from the Alsip-based store could be seen for miles.
"We do kitchens, fences decks, gazebos -- it's a busy time of year for us," he said.
ATF agents and the Illinois Fire Marshals Office are investigating the cause of the fire that started in the lumber yard.
It then spread to a building, eating its way through the highly flammable materials inside.
Neighbors say when they heard the propane tanks exploding, they decided to evacuate.
"It was a boom with an aggressive bang," said witness Chris Facko. "It was loud, I couldn't even explain it."
"The last thing we want is a fire in a lumber yard or a hardware store and we have both here," said Alsip Fire Department Chief Chuck Geraci.
145 firefighters from nearly 30 departments doused the flames using water from three municipalities. Alsip had a water main break so Oak Lawn and Chicago supplied much needed water. Cicero Avenue from 107th Street to 111th Street and 111th Street between Pulaski and Ridgeland is closed off until further notice.
Laird said he is grateful to the hundreds of people who helped to spare at least part of his business -- one whole building was not affected so he plans to open Monday.
"We're just happy that no one was injured," Laird said.
Two firefighters were treated for dehydration, but no other injuries were reported. 2500 ComEd customers were without service for a time during the situation, but service has been restored.
The cause of teh fire is still under investigation.
Chicago firefighters are keeping an eye on a warehouse that caught fire Saturday on the city's Northwest Side.
The fire destroyed the Chicago Import, Inc. warehouse at Montrose and Knox Ave. The four-alarm fire was struck out Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The fire originally started about 5:15 p.m.
There were no injuries during Saturday's blaze.
Firefighters say some hot spots are still smoldering and that it will be some time before the cause of the fire can be determined.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Read MoreBlaze Interrputed ComEd Service for 2500 Customers
FEATURED SLIDESHOW: See This Week's News In Photos
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Alsip, Ill. (CBS) ― Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of a lumber yard fire Sunday evening.
Flames broke out at about noon and spread quickly at the Fox Home Center at 111th Street and Cicero Ave. in Alsip and the hoses are still going more than 10 hours after the fire began.
By the time Fox Home Center owner and president John Laird arrived, the five-alarm fire was already devouring the business his parents opened in 1962.
"It kind of takes your breath away," Laird said.
With flames of 150-feet and clouds of black smoke, it was hard to see what he was going to lose. Fox Home Center sells hardware, plumbing and electrical products. The smoke from the Alsip-based store could be seen for miles.
"We do kitchens, fences decks, gazebos -- it's a busy time of year for us," he said.
ATF agents and the Illinois Fire Marshals Office are investigating the cause of the fire that started in the lumber yard.
It then spread to a building, eating its way through the highly flammable materials inside.
Neighbors say when they heard the propane tanks exploding, they decided to evacuate.
"It was a boom with an aggressive bang," said witness Chris Facko. "It was loud, I couldn't even explain it."
"The last thing we want is a fire in a lumber yard or a hardware store and we have both here," said Alsip Fire Department Chief Chuck Geraci.
145 firefighters from nearly 30 departments doused the flames using water from three municipalities. Alsip had a water main break so Oak Lawn and Chicago supplied much needed water. Cicero Avenue from 107th Street to 111th Street and 111th Street between Pulaski and Ridgeland is closed off until further notice.
Laird said he is grateful to the hundreds of people who helped to spare at least part of his business -- one whole building was not affected so he plans to open Monday.
"We're just happy that no one was injured," Laird said.
Two firefighters were treated for dehydration, but no other injuries were reported. 2500 ComEd customers were without service for a time during the situation, but service has been restored.
The cause of teh fire is still under investigation.
Chicago firefighters are keeping an eye on a warehouse that caught fire Saturday on the city's Northwest Side.
The fire destroyed the Chicago Import, Inc. warehouse at Montrose and Knox Ave. The four-alarm fire was struck out Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The fire originally started about 5:15 p.m.
There were no injuries during Saturday's blaze.
Firefighters say some hot spots are still smoldering and that it will be some time before the cause of the fire can be determined.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
