VIDEO: A massive warehouse fire in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood Thursday morning drew hundreds of firefighters to fight the massive flames, with smoke visible for miles.
"We couldn't believe it," said Blanca Valderas, witness. "We were like in shock."
The 4-11 alarm fire broke out an auto body supply factory at 4425 W. 16th. Street at about 8:45 a.m., as many workers at the Best Value Auto Body Supply had already started their shifts.
Chopper 7HD flew over the scene as huge flames and thick smoke could be seen coming from the warehouse. Gloria Ramos, whose husband Raoul has worked at the plant for years, said he frantically called her as flames began to overtake the building.
"He said one of the supervisors said there was a fire. They smelled fire on the inside," she recalled.
Chicago Fire Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner for Operations Barry Garr said it was "200 feet of fire going down the block" when he arrived on the scene.