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Authorities asked residents to avoid an area near downtown Elgin after a large fire was seen burning Wednesday evening near a heavily-trafficked roadway, with gusty winds worsening the conditions of the blaze.
The fire was seen burning in the 500 block of North State Street in Elgin, with first responders beginning to battle the blaze in the difficult conditions.
According to police, two-to-three structures near a homeless encampment were on fire, with crews acting "swiftly" to bring the blaze under control.
No injuries were reported among responding firefighters or the residents of the encampment, though a thorough search remains underway to ensure no one was impacted by the blaze.
A nearby business, Chihuahua Tire and Rims, told NBC Chicago that a nearby homeless encampment was on fire.
Firefighters from nearby suburbs were also called to assist in battling the blaze.
Local
Milwaukee District-West Metra trains were also impacted by the fire.
MDW train #2246, scheduled to depart Big Timber Road at 5:22pm, will originate at Elgin due to a fire adjacent to the tracks near Big Timber Road. Metra will provide updates as information becomes available.
— Metra MD-W (@metraMDW) December 4, 2024
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Due to an ongoing fire adjacent to the tracks near Big Timber Road, outbound trains will not operate past Elgin until further notice. Metra will provide updates as information becomes available.
— Metra MD-W (@metraMDW) December 4, 2024
There was no further information available.
