VIDEO: Video of 5-alarm vacant warehouse fire at 1829 South 54th Avenue. Firefighters work to open a hydrant at 5:50 (VIDEO CREDIT: Larry Shapiro).
Arson charges have been filed against a male teen accused of starting a vacant warehouse fire at 1829 South 54th Avenue in Cicero that grew to a five-alarm fire and destroyed the vacant warehouse and Central Steel Fabricators next-door at 1843 South 54th Avenue.
“We’re very pleased that this fire has been resolved and a suspect has been identified.”
— Fire Chief Ron Opalecky
The suspect is believed to have been with two other high school-aged teenagers who went inside the warehouse and then started a fire — possibly to keep warm. The suspect began playing with the fire, which allegedly caused the fire to spread. The teens then evacuated the warehouse and fled the scene.
Firefighters upon arrival about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2014 already faced a fire out of control and immediately called for a sequence of extra alarms, which brings about five fire engines and/or fire trucks from mutual aid communities nearby. Firefighters from at least 15 fire department assisted Cicero firefighters.
Firefighters tried to protect Central Steel Fabricators, but were unable save the neighboring business. The building contained stacks of cardboard and aerosol spray cans, which had an explosion risk.
Main firefighting operations lasted at least 12 hours, while another fire damaged an apartment in the 1400 block of south 50th Court. The apartment fire was caused by a space heater.
See also …
CHICAGOFIREMAP.NET VACANT FACTORY FIRE AT 54TH AVE AND 16TH ST, CICERO — EXTRA ALARM FIRE (breaking news of fire department response) …
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