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Electrical fire prompts evacuation at Chicago's City Hall during meeting
An electrical fire reportedly broke out around midday Wednesday at Chicago City Hall as alderpeople were meeting.
CHICAGO - An electrical fire reportedly broke out around midday Wednesday at Chicago City Hall as alderpeople were meeting.
What we know
The fire prompted an alarm as the Chicago City Council was holding its regular meeting that began at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The building houses both city and county governments.
The fire started around 11:30 a.m. The Chicago Fire Department said the fire was struck out around 12:10 p.m. It started in the records storage area and it was quickly put out.
Paramedics were checking on a couple of people, CFD said. Firefighters were using fans and window ventilation where there was smoke.
By about 12:30 p.m., people were returning inside of the building and the response appeared to be winding down.
‘Time to evacuate!’
The full City Council was in session when the fire alarm went off and those inside were told to exit the building.
Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) posted on social media about the fire saying, "Electrical fire in the building. Time to evacuate!"
Fox 32's Dane Placko spotted several fire trucks surrounding the building as parts of Randolph Street were closed to traffic at Clark Street.
Lopez also posted a photo of what appeared to be several people who had evacuated and were congregating near the intersection of La Salle Street and Randolph Street.