Massive blaze destroys warehouse on Southwest Side; no injuries: fire officials

CHICAGO - A massive fire on Chicago's Southwest Side destroyed a warehouse Saturday evening, fire officials said.

The blaze began around 6:30 p.m. in the 4100 block of South Oakley Avenue and was extinguished by 8:30 p.m.

The building, which housed a trailer and truck repair company, collapsed during the fire, according to Donald Walker, assistant deputy fire commissioner with the Chicago Fire Department. Explosions were also reported as propane tanks inside the structure ignited.

Firefighters encountered water pressure issues during the response due to the cold weather and called for assistance from the water company, Walker said. 

The pressure was restored a short time later and crews continued extinguishing hot spots until nearly 9:30 p.m.

Adonis Tate, who was attending an event nearby, said the fire was noticeable even from blocks away.

"I knew it was something bad," Tate said. "We had to park on the next block over, about two blocks down from where the venue is."

No injuries were reported among civilians or firefighters. More than 120 firefighters responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.