Chicago fire officials said the fire broke out at 2810 West Grand Avenue around 6 p.m., in a T-shaped building housing multiple businesses. The front of the building, which runs north-south at Grand and California, is home to a two-story construction business office. The back part contains two businesses running east-west along Grand Avenue. The west side of the building houses a landscaping company, while the east side has a car and truck battery business that also has a body shop.
Thick black smoke and towering flames could be seen, even from a distance, when the fire began. Approximately 200 firefighters responded to the scene.
Chicago Fire Department update on Grand Avenue fire
Fire officials said they quickly identified the structure as a bow truss and steel truss construction, allowing them to go on the defensive. They did not say if anyone was inside the business at the time of the fire, but said no one was injured, including firefighters, and that everyone is accounted for.
The building is a complete loss, fire officials said. The car and truck batteries also appear to still be intact and on their pallets.
The cause of the fire and where exactly it started is still under investigation. Fire officials say they believe it could have started near the body shop area, but will not be able to confirm that until an official investigation is complete.
The fire was declared struck out at 8:20 p.m.
Less than one day ago, a massive fire engulfed a pallet yard in West Town. While no injuries were reported, the blaze destroyed a nearly 50-year-old family business and continued smoldering and flaring up a day later. The cause of that fire is still under investigation.