VIDEO: Auto mechanic shop and machine shop fire after roof collapse at 806 Morse Avenue, Schaumburg.
Schaumburg police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 5:30 p.m. Monday to a commercial building fire at 806 Morse Avenue, just north of the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway. Firefighters and police reported heavy smoke and difficulty determining which address was on fire because of the heavy smoke blowing low across the street. Winds at the time of the fire were about 10-12 MPH from the northeast with gusts up to 24 MPH. Firefighters also reported a header showing while responding. The 50 by 100 foot building was used as an auto mechanics shop and a tool and die machine shop. Fire Station 53 is just around the corner on Wright Boulevard and Lunt Avenue, which runs parallel to Morse on the north.
A ladder tower truck was raised up in the air to protect exposures and to facilitate firefighters observing the status of the fire. By about 5:37 p.m. fire was reported through the roof with smoke and fire rolling out a back overhead door. Early on firefighters were warned by a commanding officer not to fight an interior attack. Within three minutes the rear parapet wall collapsed and then the roof collapsed.
The majority of the fire was declared confined and under control about 6:27 p.m. A secondary search was underway at that time with one person unaccounted for. Apparently that person was accounted for at about 8:10 p.m. after firefighters or police made contact with the person.
The one person that was in the building at the time, was apparently working on an engine when a spark from a reconnected battery cable ignited gasoline that was spilled during a fuel-draining process.
The man was able to escape. No reports of any injuries.
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Good video!