Wheaton Metra station still closed after pre-Thanksgiving fire
The Metra station in downtown Wheaton remains closed more than a week after an accidental fire the night before Thanksgiving.
Metra does not yet have a timeline for reopening the waiting room and ticket office to commuters, spokeswoman Meg Reile said Friday. But trains continue to operate at the downtown Wheaton stop on the Union Pacific West Line.
Fire investigators and insurance inspectors who have surveyed the building are making final evaluations before repairs can begin, city officials said in a news release.
Metra is working with the city and Union Pacific Railroad to coordinate the repairs that could take place over the next month and a half.
Once temporary repairs can be made, the commuter waiting and ticket areas will be reopened, the city said.
The fire started in a storage and furnace room on the north side of the building at 402 W. Front St. Firefighters were called shortly after 11 p.m. Nov. 22, and brought the blaze under control within minutes.
A malfunctioning heater unit appeared to trigger the fire. The building, leased by the city from Metra, was unoccupied at the time.
Damage estimates still are not available.
Metra passengers can purchase tickets online at Metrarail.com/tickets, through the Ventra smartphone app or on board with cash.
Commuters also can use the College Avenue station at 303 N. President St.