Suspicious fire damages construction equipment in West Chicago

Nine earth scrapers and several other pieces of excavation equipment were damaged Monday in what authorities deemed an “unusual” early morning fire in West Chicago.

Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Keefe said nine earthmovers were fully engulfed in flames when firefighters were called at 3:53 a.m. Monday to the A.A. Conte outdoor excavation yard, 31W007 North Ave.

He said the initial alarm was immediately upgraded, drawing firefighters from eight area departments.

He said no one was injured in the blaze, which took about 90 minutes to bring under control.

“Circumstances of the fire are highly unusual,” Keefe said. “The cause of the fire is under investigation by the DuPage County Arson Task Force and the West Chicago Fire Department.”

He said the alarm was raised by someone from a neighboring business who heard an explosion and saw smoke billowing from the yard.