Fire destroys Chicago warehouse and injures 2 firefighters

CHICAGO (AP) — A warehouse on Chicago’s West Side has been destroyed by a massive fire and two firefighters were injured while battling the flames, officials said.

Hundreds of firefighters responded after the fire broke out at the Commercial Pallet warehouse in West Town on Tuesday evening. The fire was fueled by high winds and a plume of black smoke that billowed over the neighborhood could be seen for miles.

Two firefighters were injured and transported to the hospital in good condition, Chicago Fire Department First District Chief Jim McDonough said. No warehouse employees were injured, McDonough said.

Emergency crews appeared to be leaving the scene Wednesday morning around 6 a.m.

The fire department did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment on the blaze.

Authorities have released no information on the cause of the fire, but said the building was a total loss.

The huge blaze forced transportation authorities to halt Metra commuter train service in the area. Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications said the fire damaged some train tracks.