FIRE AT ARTCC "CHICAGO CENTER" FAA AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER ON NEW INDIAN TRAIL, AURORA

    FRI SEP 26 2014 ~6:20 AM
    AURORA FIRE DEPARTMENT
    UNKNOWN INCIDENT
    619 W NEW INDIAN TRAIL RD AURORA, IL

    UPDATE: The incident at ATRCC “Chicago Center” involved a contractor with knowledge of the building and radar system who allegedly cut every radar feed to FAA traffic controllers before setting gas-soaked rags on fire near sensitive equipment, which also damaged communications equipment. He also attempted suicide by slitting wrists. The alleged suspect was transported to a nearby hospital and another victim was transported with smoke inhalation.

    The interior of the building became filled with smoke. Firefighters put water on the fire, which also damaged sensitive equipment. Significant flight delays are possible all day, and some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines have canceled flights at Midway all day.

    Evacuated employees (up to 30 total) were instructed to go home. The FAA, ATF, FBI and Aurora police and fire on the scene for investigation of the incident, which was reported to be related to a suicide attempt and not a terrorist act.

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    INITIALLY A REPORT OF A FIRE WITH EVACUATION AT CHICAGO AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER WITH EVACUATION. NOW AN UNKNOWN INCIDENT WITH A POSSIBLE UNUSUAL OR SUSPICIOUS INJURY INSIDE THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER.

    FLIGHTS AT O'HARE AND MIDWAY ARE REPORTED HALTED WITH A GROUND STOP.

    NO SMOKE SHOWING FROM THE BUILDING BUT EMPLOYEES ARE STILL EVACUATED AS OF 6:50 AM.

    AS OF 7:25 AM FLIGHTAWARE.COM IS NOT REPORTING ANY DELAYS AT O'HARE OR MIDWAY.

    One of 22 ARTCCs, Chicago Center works to sequence and separate inbound flights, outbound flights, and over-flights passing over the Chicago area.

    LIVE TRAFFIC MAP …
    http://maps.google.com/?q=619+w+new+indian+trail+rd+aurora,+il&t=h&z=17&layer=t


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