Blaze breaks out in Elgin mall

Firefighters spent several hours battling smoke in the Elgin Shopping Mall after a blaze broke out Thursday night.

No one was injured in the fire, officials said, but its cause has not yet been determined.

Crews arrived at the mall, 308 S. McLean Blvd., at 7:49 p.m. Thursday, according to Assistant Chief Rudy Horist. After forcing entry into the building they were able to extinguish the fire within minutes but were still on scene as of 10 p.m. trying to clear out the smoke that had accumulated in the mall's high ceilings.

Unlike some shopping malls with multiple stores, the Elgin mall is a large single-occupancy building with indoor booths.

The mall closes at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, according to an outgoing voice-mail message. Horist could not say for certain if anyone had been inside. He was not aware of any injuries to civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Horist said there has been nothing thus far to indicate foul play. Damage estimates are not yet available.

Because of the manpower needed to clear the smoke, Elgin firefighters were assisted by South Elgin and Rutland-Dundee on scene. Pingree Grove, Huntley, Hanover Park and Hoffman Estates helped cover Elgin stations during the fire.