Fire At Amazon Warehouse Sparks Large Emergency Response: Authorities

HUNTLEY, IL — A fire inside a cardboard recycling compactor at the Amazon distribution facility in Huntley prompted a large emergency response Tuesday evening and temporarily halted operations at the warehouse.

The Huntley Fire Protection District responded around 7:04 p.m. Tuesday to Amazon Services, 11500 Freeman Road, for a reported dumpster fire. Based on information gathered while crews were en route, the response was upgraded to bring additional resources to the scene, according to a news release.

Firefighters arrived to find a small fire inside a cardboard recycling compactor attached to the building. Employees had already used multiple fire extinguishers to control the blaze before crews arrived, fire officials said.

Operations at the facility were stopped and the building was evacuated while firefighters extinguished the remaining fire and overhauled the compactor to ensure the flames were fully out, according to the news release.

The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District responded with an airboat to assist with removing smoke from the warehouse.

Officials said damage was contained to the compactor.

The cause of the fire appears accidental and remains under investigation by Huntley fire investigators.