The Orland Fire Protection District responded Thursday to a fire at the UFC Gym near Orland Square mall, following multiple 911 calls reporting flames at the rear of the facility near the electrical panels.
Fire companies reached the scene, at 66 Orland Square Drive, at about 2:30 p.m. and used handlines to extinguish the flames.
Ray Hanania, spokesperson for the fire district, said the fire spread quickly due to combustibles in the storage area.
ComEd was called to deenergize electrical panels.
Fire crews searched the UFC Gym, along with adjacent Gizmos and Skyzone, both of which were open and occupied.
A search found the gym was swiftly evacuated after smoke filled the facility, and fire officials successfully prevented the flames from spreading to other buildings while containing the smoke, Hanania said.
The fire was brought under control quickly, and fire crews from the Orland Fire District arrived to assist.
There were no injuries reported.
A ventilation fan was brought to the scene to control the large volume of smoke. Crews also cut holes in the facility’s roof to aid in ventilation.
The fire is being investigated by the Orland Fire District Origin and Cause Team and the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office, according to Hanania.
The gym is uninhabitable due to the extensive damage caused by the fire, he said.
Neighboring businesses, Gizmos and Skyzone, are also closed until electrical repairs can be made.
Firefighters from Palos, Tinley, Palos Heights, Lemont, North Palos, Homer, Evergreen Park, Crestwood and Oak Forest and aided in extinguishing the fire.
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com
