:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57605775/Screen_Shot_2017_11_14_at_3.15.41_PM.0.png)
No one was hurt after a rooftop fire at Blommer’s Chocolate Company, the factory behind most of Chicago’s chocolate brands — and the reason parts of the city are filled with that tempting, sweet smell. Firefighter crews battled a rooftop fire since for about 45 minutes, responding just before 2 p.m. Tuesday on the 400 block of North Jefferson Street. It’s also the second fire this month at the factory, which was evacuated on November 3. No one was hurt earlier in the month, either.
Firefighters extinguished the fire around 2:40 p.m., according to the Chicago Fire Department. The fire department is using fans to disperse smoke in the neighborhood.
The 2 11 at 400 north JEFFERSON is struck out. Crews checking for extension all employees accounted for and safe. Media staging SW corner from building
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) November 14, 2017
Tuesday afternoon’s fire looks to have started from the factory’s cooling tower, according to the Sun-Times. Nationwide, the chocolate factory may not have a familiar name — this Tribune story from 2014 mentions how the company is fiercely protective of its clients. The company provides the chocolate for more prominent brands that many chocolate lovers know. The factory also floods the city with chocolate smells and has become a bit of a Chicago icon. It’s been around for more than 75 years.
For those who may not know or are curious, Blommer Chocolate Factory is really close to the loop in Chicago. On mornings when they are roasting, everything smells like chocolate on your walk to the office. Hope they can save it!
— Bob Pusateri (@SQLBob) November 14, 2017
Take a look at some of the photos posted on social media.
This post will be updated if more information becomes available.
