Nick Vlahos: Nick in the AM: Early-morning fire destroys industrial building in Morton

April 17-- Apr. 17--MORTON -- A fire early Wednesday destroyed an industrial building in Morton, according to authorities.

Nobody was injured in the blaze that began about 2 a.m. at Test Development Innovators, 361 Erie Ave.

According to Morton Fire Department Chief Joe Kelley, employees of nearby businesses heard explosions from the vicinity of the steel-frame building, which is located among industrial installations.

"We could see fire on both ends of the building," Kelley said. "It was well developed before we ever arrived.

"Our first concern was to keep it contained to this building. There's other buildings out here, and some pretty big ones at that."

Testing of industrial equipment took place in the building, according to Anthony Dennis, the TDI majority owner. Fire officials weren't able to offer a square footage.

Kelley judged the building to be a total loss. No financial damage estimate was available, nor was a fire cause.

Parts of the building remained aflame as of about 7 a.m. It took firefighters almost five hours to bring the blaze under control.

"If it had been wood frame, it wouldn't be standing right now," Kelley said.

A limited quantity of diesel fuel and other flammable materials was stored in the building, according to Dennis.

Some of the materials leaked, Kelley said. Firefighters attempted to make sure the fluids didn't enter the sewer system.

About 24 people work at TDI, according to Dennis, who expected insurance-company representatives to arrive later Wednesday. It wasn't clear how long TDI operations would be affected.

"Everything in there can be replaced," Dennis said. "(The fire is) just the unfortunate part of the business."

Firefighters from Deer Creek, East Peoria, North Pekin, Tremont and Washington assisted their Morton counterparts. Erie Avenue was blocked to through traffic north of Illinois Route 98.

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