Chicago City Hall and the County Building were evacuated Wednesday after a fire broke out in the records storage area.
The contents of the fire were quickly extinguished and smoke conditions are being treated with fans and window ventilation, officials said.
Paramedics were on site at 118 N. Clark St. to evaluate a few people, officials said.
The chambers of Chicago City Council were evacuated around 11:30, mid-meeting, and staff from City Hall spilled out into the chilly winds of LaSalle Street. Others from the county side of the building made their way to Christkindlmarket, past several fire trucks and ambulances.
After City Council staff were let back in the building, they were briefly greeted by the tune of “Fire” by Ohio Players on the P.A. system.
In a statement posted to the social media site X, city fire officials said the department’s office of fire investigation determined that the fire resulted from an “accidental ignition of paper products” in the storage room.
The fire started on the 3rd floor of the county side of the building, which is currently under renovation, officials at the scene said.
The smell of smoke lingered well past noon.
