Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A fire consumed and destroyed a Star Disposal maintenance facility on South Street earlier today. The blaze left behind an empty building with a scorched interior, and two charred vehicles in front.
Police closed Western Avenue from Route 30 south to 26th Street while firefighters battled the flames.
Responding to a concerned citizen worried about the air quality in the vicinity, the Park Forest Police Department said, “The fire department did not give any evacuation orders that we are aware of. All roadways are now open.”
No one was injured, neither workers at Star Disposal nor first responders. On a day where temperatures locally reached 88 degrees, the fire left behind the charred remains of a garbage truck and front loader tractor, and both of these vehicles had melted and singed wheels.
An employee at the scene told eNews Park Forest the fire started in the maintenance building while mechanics were working on a front loader.
Another employee simply said, “I’ve had better days.”
A statement on the Village of Park Forest website said the “three-alarm fire broke out in an office building in Park Forest early this afternoon.
“Four people were in the building, located at 20 South Street, when the fire began. All escaped without injury.”
According to the statement, firefighters from close to 20 agencies responded to the scene and were able to get the fire under control quickly.
The building, owned and occupied by Star Disposal, sustained significant damage and is believed to be completely destroyed, the Village said on its website.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The scene of today’s fire is across the street from the transfer station, which caught fire in May 2007.
Related: Garbage Fire Torches Transfer Station, May 2007
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