Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish a fire that sent flames and smoke from the rear of a strip mall in Waukegan in close proximity to power lines, fire officials said.
The Waukegan Fire Department responded around 4:30 p.m. Thursday to the 2300 block of Grand Avenue in Waukegan for a report of a structure fire.
Firefighters arrived and found flames and smoke coming from the rear of the building, according to Waukegan Fire Department Battalion Chief Todd Zupec.
The commercial building is split into multiple retail spaces and is where Botanica Mi Esperanza, Vital Pharmacy, Anita’s Hair Salon, Best Nails and Magnum Insurance Agency are located.
Firefighters pulled a hose line and began extinguishing the fire, Zupec said.
The fire was on the exterior of the building and is believed to have originated in a plastic garbage can. Zupec said the electrical meter was not believed to have caused the fire.
Zupec said the fire did not cause significant damage to the building, only superficial damage on the exterior.
Firefighters ventilated the smoke that filled the businesses and called for ComEd to respond.
ComEd inspected the power lines, which were in close proximity to the fire, and determined they were unaffected, Zupec said.
No injuries were reported to any occupants or firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Waukegan Fire Department.