Heller International Building on fire near Loop

Anyone have pics? By Jason Meisner Tribune staff reporter Published March 28, 2007, 12:50 PM CDT Firefighters were responding this afternoon to an extra-alarm blaze on the roof of a high-rise building in the West Loop in downtown Chicago. The fire broke out shortly before noon in the Heller International Building, 500 W. Monroe St., just west of the Chicago River. The blaze was confined to a maintenance or air-conditioning unit on top of the building, fire officials told CLTV. Firefighters called for a second alarm and five ambulances to be sent to the scene, police Officer Laura Kubiak said. No serious injuries had been reported. Kevin Smith, spokesman for the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said fire crews were on the scene but he did not know whether any evacuations had been ordered. Witnesses who work in a building at 1 S. Wacker Dr. said thick black and gray smoke could be seen pouring from the top of the building on Monroe shortly after noon. Chicago Fire Department representatives did not immediately return phone calls. CTA spokeswoman Ibis Antongiorgi said three bus routes were being rerouted around the fire scene. She said the No. 60/Blue Island, No. 124/Navy Pier and No. 157/Streeterville would be affected until firefighters clear the scene. Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune>