Truck catches fire inside repair center

A Channahon truck repair and body shop is uninhabitable after a semi truck parked inside caught fire and caused more that $2 million in damage.
The Channahon Fire Protection District was dispatched for a structure fire in the area of Riverside Drive and Frontage Road West in Channahon on March 6, at approximately 8 p.m. Upon the arrival at the 18 Wheeler Truck Center, the firefighters reported they were on the scene of a multi-story commercial building with heavy smoke showing.
After investigating, the crews discovered a large semi-tractor truck on fire in the northwest section of the building. The building was not occupied at the time of the fire.
Fire attack was made through access doors on the building’s west side, and the fire was contained to the semi-tractor truck. The fire was under control by 9:02 p.m.
Nicor and ComEd were asked to respond to secure the natural gas and electric utilities respectively.
Radiant heat and smoke damage was noted throughout the building’s north side repair shop and south side body shop. Sixteen vehicles ranging from passenger cars to semi-tractor trucks were parked inside the building at the time of the fire.
MABAS Division 15 Fire Investigators were assisted by fire investigators from MABAS Division 19 and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The preliminary investigation suggests the cause of the fire appears to be accidental; however, the investigation remains open.
The preliminary loss estimate is in excess of $2 million. The building was ruled uninhabitable due to the damage caused by the fire and smoke.
Fire agencies including Minooka, Troy, Elwood, Morris, Wilmington, Coal City, Plainfield, Rockdale, East Joliet, and the Wilmington Emergency Services and Disaster Agency provided assistance at the scene. Fire agencies from Braidwood and Morris provided area coverage throughout the incident. Channahon Police provided traffic control and site security for the duration of the incident. Fire companies remained on scene until nearly midnight.