Wheeling apartment building uninhabitable after electrical fire

A five-story Wheeling apartment building was deemed uninhabitable following an electrical fire Sunday night.

No one was reported hurt in the blaze on the 300 block of Plum Creek Drive.

The fire triggered an automated fire alarm about 10:45 p.m. Responding crews saw smoke coming from an electrical room in a parking garage, according to a news release. They entered and determined the fire involved the electrical meters.

Firefighters put out the fire with portable extinguishers.

Even though the fire was out quickly, 140 residents from 60 apartments were forced from their homes due to smoke and electrical hazards, authorities said. ComEd turned off electricity service for the entire building, too.

The Wheeling building department and the fire department were working with the property management company Monday to get power restored as soon as possible, according to the release. Fire Chief Scott Salela said he hoped most of the building would have electricity again by Monday night.

The fire is under investigation.