Forklift Gas Tank Explodes, Causes Aurora Warehouse Blaze: FD

AURORA, IL — A forklift caught fire Monday afternoon, causing its gas tank to explode in the 800 block of Enterprise Street in Aurora, fire officials said.

The force of the explosion blew out the overhead door in the back of the building and dislodged several windows and a door in the front, according to a news release Tuesday. A total of 22 fire personnel were dispatched around 4:45 p.m. to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters entered through the back loading doors to contain the fire, which had spread to some warehouse stock, officials said. The building’s sprinkler system activated before firefighters arrived, helping keep the flames under control.

All 11 people inside the building safely evacuated, and no one was injured. Firefighters contained the blaze within 24 minutes of the 911 call.

“This fire is a reminder of how quickly things can escalate when propane or hazardous materials are involved,” Aurora Fire Chief David McCabe said in a statement. “We're thankful everyone got out safely and proud of our firefighters’ swift response to keep this situation from getting worse.”