Flights delayed after fire near FAA facility

The temporary evacuation of a Federal Aviation Administration facility in Elgin on Saturday caused some delays at O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport, officials said.

A grass fire broke out near the Elgin facility about 4:37 p.m. Saturday. Crews there handle approaching and departing airplanes at O’Hare and at any airports within 30 or 40 miles, FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said in a recorded message.

That blaze led to a water backup in pipes in the building, which set off sensors and an alarm, she said.

After pilots communicating with the center were connected with an FAA facility in Aurora, the staff evacuated the building. They returned about 5:10 p.m.

The building wasn’t damaged.