Damages are estimated to be well in excess of $1 million in the aftermath of a fire that broke out shortly after noon on Monday at Superior Coating Corporation, 6860 Indy Dr.
All of the employees, about eight, had evacuated before firefighters arrived and found heavy smoke pouring from the 100,000-square-foot building. Firefighters were forced to make an exterior attack after the roof collapsed.
Boone County District 2 Fire Chief Kent Hulett said the “labor intensive” fire required mutual aid from 13 fire departments in Boone, McHenry and Winnebago counties with as many as 40 to 45 firefighters on scene.
“Apparently, the fire started in a paint booth,” Hulett said. “The employees tried to extinguish it prior to our arrival, but the fire spread rapidly.”
Hulett said the building did not have a sprinkler system.