Strip mall fire at Peterson Avenue and Lincoln Avenue (VIDEO CREDIT: Bogdan Rusu).
Chicago firefighters, paramedics, and Chicago police officers responded just before 4:00 p.m. Friday to a fire on the roof of a strip mall at Peterson Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. The strip mall faced both Peterson Avenue and Lincoln Avenue on the northeast corner of the busy intersection.
Chicago Fire Department investigators reported Friday night via Twitter that a strip mall fire began as “a result of actions by a roofing crew using propane torches.” Chicago Fire Department also reported that Chicago Police Department is investigating the fire. The roofers apparently fled the scene Friday night, and did not return, as of late Friday.
Four businesses locations were destroyed: American Mattress, Mid-America Furniture, For Eyes, and Rainbow Nails — a nail salon. Several explosions were heard during the height of the fire, which were believed to be propane tanks that were used in the roofing work.
Electricity in the area had to be cut because of the danger to firefighters. At least 700 customers were without power during the fire, and after the fire for several hours.
Firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading to the northwest wing of the strip mall that faces Lincoln Avenue.
No injuries were reported.
Cfd investigators have concluded the peterson ave fire was a result of actions by a roofing crew using propane torches. Cpd investigating
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) November 16, 2013
Roofers left scene when fire occurred. As of 930 pm they have not returned to scene.
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) November 16, 2013
Elk Grove Village firefighters responded about 5:15 p.m. Friday to the area of Devon Avenue and York Road to a report of smoke coming from a building, but it turned out to be a report from someone that saw the smoke column or smoke header from a 4-11 ALARM fire at a strip mall at Lincoln Avenue and Peterson Avenue in Chicago.
Firefighters on an elevated platform of a ladder tower truck fighting the strip mall fire at the height of the fire (ABC 7 News Chicago).
INITIAL BREAKING NEWS REPORT …
The fire was reported just after 4:00 p.m. and was elevated to a 2-11 ALARM, then a 3-11 ALARM, and then a 4-11 ALARM fire as late 5:23 PM.
No injuries have been reported, but the fire has destroyed several businesses outlets at the location including American Mattress, Mid-America Furniture, For Eyes, and Rainbow Nails.
Firefighters reported they are finally able to make good progress on stopping the fire at about 5:35 p.m. A section of the strip that heads north up Lincoln Avenue is hopefully being saved from the spread of the fire by Chicago firefighters.
For response time and fire equipment details, see CHICAGOFIREMAP.NET EXTRA-ALARM FIRE INVOLVING RAINBOW NAILS, FOR EYES, AMERICAN MATTRESS IN STRIP MALL AT PETERSON AVE AND LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO
Stay informed with news from The Cardinal’s Emergencies Behind the Scenes Facebook page — Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies. Includes links to favorite public safety and emergency rescuers and product manufacturers and safety companies that have facebook pages. Submit your pictures or just stay up-to-date on with fire, rescue, EMS and police photo galleries. Please add your public safety photo to the wall album — go direct to the Arlington Cardinal Emergencies Behind the Scenes photos. For a list of all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages, go to Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …