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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 Sky Zone, both of which were open and occupied.

Orland Fire Protection District crews respond to a fire June 20, 2024, at the UFC Gym near Orland Square. (Orland Fire Protection District)
Orland Fire Protection District crews responded to a fire at the UFC Gym near the Orland Park Mall complex Thursday, June 20. Crews assisted with fire control, search and rescue and overhauling the structure after the flames left the gym uninhabitable.

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.

Specialized ventilation fans were brought in to control the smoke after a fire June 20, 2024 at the UFC Gym at 66 Orland Square Drive. (Orland Fire Protection District)
A MABAS specialized ventilation fan was brought in to control the large volume of smoke after a fire destroyed the UFC Gym at 66 Orland Square Drive. (Orland Fire Protection District)

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 Sky Zone, were also closed until electrical repairs can be made.

Earlier Friday, Gizmos posted on social media saying the fire caused a power outage, but it will open again Saturday, June 22 for its regular hours.

The general manager for the Orland Park UFC Gym, Beejay Haddad, said the facility has plans to reopen within the next two to four weeks after the building is restored.

Firefighters from Palos, Tinley, Palos Heights, Lemont, North Palos, Homer, Evergreen Park, Crestwood and Oak Forest aided in extinguishing the fire.

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