Fire burns for hours at metal recycling complex in West Town, Chicago fire officials say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A large fire that began Saturday night at a metal recycling complex on the city's West Side burned for hours.

Firefighters monitored the flames at two warehouses near North Western Avenue and West Fulton Street, in the West Town neighborhood, the Chicago Fire Department said.

Flames were seen going through the roof of the warehouses. The fire continued to burn deep in tons of copper, CFD said.

A hazmat response was declared Saturday night for potential hazardous materials inside the buildings.

The flames were fueled by gas lines inside the buildings that were not immediately able to be shut off. ComEd and People's Gas responded to the fire and managed to get the gas shut off, Chicago Fire authorities said.

By Sunday morning, at least two large walls collapsed, making the debris and destruction more visible.

Firefighters spent most of Sunday morning chasing recurring hot spots.

The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known. No injuries were reported, fire officials said.

No further information was immediately available.