A chiropractor’s office in the heart of Elmwood Park caught fire Friday morning, drawing fire departments from several towns and forcing nearby businesses to evacuate.
The fire started around 10 a.m. at Elmwood Park Chiropractic and Acupuncture, 35 Conti Parkway, according to Elmwood Park Fire Department Cpt. Kevin Flaherty.
No injuries were reported as of 1:15 p.m. Friday, and the fire appeared to be under control. Fire officials from River Grove, Rosemont, Broadview, Norwood Park, Melrose Park and Stone Park remained on the scene with Elmwood Park.
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The fire was contained to the chiropractor’s office, Flaherty said, but neighboring businesses Picket Fence Learning Center and Spathies Insurance Agency were evacuated as a precaution. Children from Picket Fence were taken to the Elmwood Park Parks and Recreation Center around the corner.
Elmwood Park Fire Chief Mike Ventura said the fire was possibly started by an electrical problem with a piece of machinery in the chiropractor’s office.
Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano said streets leading to the fire scene from the north were blocked off by police as far away as George Street.
John Orlando, owner of the building, said he couldn’t believe the scene.
“Thank God everybody got out okay,” he said. “I saw the pictures on the Internet and I can’t believe this happened.”
Orlando, who lives in Las Vegas, said he’s owned the property for 50 years and the tenants have been in the location for a couple of years.
“The building was in good shape and all the inspections were passed,” he said. “I don’t know how this happened. It’s a total surprise to me.”
He said he feels for those who live in his building’s second floor apartment.
“You never expect anything to happen like this and because of the fire they have no place to go,” he said. “I never went through this before.”