Chicago firefighters battled a wind-fueled extra-alarm fire that raged at a paper recycling plant Tuesday.
At about 4 p.m., a prairie fire broke out about a block away from the recycling facility in the city's Brighton Park neighborhood, WLS-TV reports. High winds blew embers from the fire to the yard of the nearby plant, setting materials there on fire.
The fire quickly intensified, igniting flammable cardboard and wood pallets. Around 150 firefighters responded to the massive fire and used aerials to try to extinguish the flames from above.
During the call, flames spread dangerously close to acid vats and propane tanks in the plant's yard, suspending nearby commuter rail service to Midway Airport. Crews used oversized fans to clear away the smoke from the fire.
"My biggest concern was the spread, the spread of the fire due to high wind conditions," Chicago District Fire Chief Steven Clay told WLS.
Firefighters worked for hours to get the fire under control. Their efforts were able to save part of the facility from being destroyed.
The plant's employees were able to escape the flames, and no one was injured during the call. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
