Overview
- The fire began between 2:15 p.m. and 2:25 p.m. Monday, sending thick black smoke visible from Route 53.
- The Schaumburg Fire Department dispatched multiple crews and kept flames from reaching the mall’s main structure.
- Police cordoned off the garage area by Macy’s, redirected traffic, and advised people to avoid the site during inspections.
- Witness videos and citizen-app posts showed evacuations of nearby vehicles, though claims that six or seven cars were involved have not been verified.
- Investigators are examining whether a fuel leak, a tire burst, an airbag canister detonation, or another issue triggered the loud bang and fire.