Fire departments battle ‘extremely challenging’ pallet fire in East St. Louis
Flames and billowing smoke from a massive fire at a wooden pallet company in East St. Louis overtook the skies early Tuesday morning. The fight continued into late Tuesday afternoon as firefighters targeted “hot spots.”
East St. Louis Fire Chief Derrick Burns said battling the blaze was “extremely challenging” because of the intense fire and high winds.
Firefighters responded to the 300 block of South Main Street at about 1:45 a.m.
“It came in as a pallet fire,” Burns said. “It is a pallet sales and recycling business.”
There are pallets stacked 16 feet high on the outside and pallets are all over on the inside.
The initial fire call reported that the fire started outside the building, but “There was so much fire and the wind was blowing so high that we are not able to tell whether the fire started outside or inside at this time.”
There were no injuries reported.
Burns said there are more than 10 fire companies on scene working to extinguish the fire. The departments include Cahokia Heights, Fairmont City and Hollywood Heights.
Burns said the fire “is extremely challenging” because of the intense fire and high winds
Firefighters were met with fire everywhere, Burns said.
It had spread from the building to several trailers used by tractor-trailer trucks outside the building and to a billboard near Interstate 64, Burns said.
“You could see this fire for miles. It was probably visible for at least five miles,” Burns said.
East St. Louis firefighters continued to battle “hot spots” at the warehouse late Tuesday afternoon, East St. Louis Assistant Fire Chief Ed Wayne said.
Wayne said it appears the warehouse to be about 85 percent destroyed.
“From the middle of the building that looks like a warehouse to the south side of the building was completely destroyed”, Wayne said.
The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office responded to investigate the cause of the fire.
“I am not sure when investigators will begin their investigation. We’ve got to get that fire completely out before they can start,” Wayne said.
Wayne praised area fire departments for their assistance in fighting the fire.
“I am always grateful that we all can work so well together,” he said.
This story was originally published April 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM.
