Chicago auto parts warehouse engulfed in flames

CHICAGO (AP) - Firefighters on Thursday morning were battling a fire on the city's West Side that had completely engulfed an auto parts warehouse.

The fire that sent billows of black smoke that could be seen for miles was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Within a half hour from the time the person inside the building reported the fire was on the roof, the blaze spread and the fire was upgraded, prompting the fire department to send hundreds of firefighters to the scene. The department also department also initiated Level 1 Hazardous Materials response, but did not immediately explain why such a response was initiated.

By mid-morning the roof of the building in the city's Lawndale neighborhood had collapsed and Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt said it was likely that the building would ultimately be demolished.

The fire department said there were no reports of anyone being injured in the fire.