FRI., SEPT. 26, 2014 ...6:20 AM
AURORA FIRE DEPARTMENT
M.A.B.A.S. Division 13
UNKNOWN INCIDENT - FIRE? SMOKE CONDITION? "OTHER?"
CHICAGO AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER
619 W. NEW INDIAN TRAIL RD.
AURORA, IL
*No idea what the Fire Dept. response from Aurora (9 stations) and/or Division 13 was.
UPDATE: The incident at ARTCC ?Chicago Center? involved a contractor with knowledge of the building and radar system who allegedly cut every radar feed to FAA traffic controllers before setting gas-soaked rags on fire near sensitive equipment, which also damaged communications equipment. He also attempted suicide by slitting wrists. The alleged suspect was transported to a nearby hospital and another victim was transported with smoke inhalation.
The interior of the building became filled with smoke. Firefighters put water on the fire, which also damaged sensitive equipment. Significant flight delays are possible all day, and some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines have canceled flights at Midway all day.
Evacuated employees (up to 30 total) were instructed to go home. The FAA, ATF, FBI and Aurora Police and Fire Dept.'s on the scene for investigation of the incident, which was reported to be related to a suicide attempt and not a terrorist act.
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INITIALLY A REPORT OF A FIRE WITH EVACUATION AT CHICAGO AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER WITH EVACUATION. NOW AN UNKNOWN INCIDENT WITH A POSSIBLE UNUSUAL OR SUSPICIOUS INJURY INSIDE THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER.
FLIGHTS AT O'HARE AND MIDWAY ARE HALTED WITH A GROUND STOPPAGE.
NO SMOKE SHOWING FROM THE BUILDING BUT EMPLOYEES ARE STILL EVACUATED, AS OF 6:50 AM.
AS OF 7:25 AM FLIGHTAWARE.COM IS NOT REPORTING ANY DELAYS AT O'HARE OR MIDWAY.
One of 22 ARTCCs, Chicago Center works to sequence and separate inbound flights, outbound flights, and over-flights passing over the Chicago area.
