Sprinkler douses factory fire in West Chicago

An automatic sprinkler system was able to extinguish a fire Friday afternoon at a factory in West Chicago, authorities said.

The automatic fire alarm system activated about 3 p.m., calling fire companies to the scene of Advanced Electronics at 721 Winston Drive in the city’s industrial park.

When firefighters arrived, they encountered smoke throughout the one-story building — but few flames — since the automatic sprinkler was able to contain the fire, said Deputy Chief Joe Buenrostro of the West Chicago Fire Protection District.

“The sprinkler system did its job and saved a lot of property,” Buenrostro said.

No employees of the business were in the building at the time of the fire since there is only one shift, and the business was closed for the day, Buenrostro said.

There were no injuries to firefighters.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and remains under investigation, he said.

The company produces printed circuit boards for the telecommunications, military, commercial, automotive and computer industries, according to its website.