3 injured in fire, explosion at Little Village factory

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One civilian and two firefighters sustained non-life threatening injuries in a reported explosion and fire at a factory in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.

Chicago fire officials say the incident occurred in the 2800-block of West 31st Street and is in a small pile of metal. Fire officials said they do not expect the fire to spread. One civilian was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition; a firefighter was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, officials said.

Chemicals in the factory prompted a hazardous materials response, and crews had to wait for a special sodium carbonate ash to apply to the fire. Using water would have spurred a reaction causing another explosion, Langford said.

One injured factory employee was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. Two firefighter suffered minor injuries, sending one each to Mount Sinai Hospital and Saint Anthony Hospital, Langford said.

The fire was extinguished by about 10 p.m.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.