Witnesses reported seeing bright flames and hearing loud popping sounds as the fire spread through parts of the substation. The intense light from the blaze could be seen from the tollway, causing several drivers to pull over and alert authorities. Fire departments from nearby suburbs joined the Hoffman Estates Fire Department in battling the flames to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby equipment or structures.

ComEd confirmed that a fire had indeed broken out at one of its substations but stated that the incident was not affecting customer power at this time. The company added that it is working closely with emergency responders to assess the extent of the damage and determine the cause of the fire.

“Crews responded immediately, and our top priority is ensuring safety and restoring normal operations,” a ComEd spokesperson said. “At this time, there are no reported outages for customers in the surrounding area.”

Officials have not yet revealed how the fire started, and an investigation is currently underway. Firefighters were seen carefully monitoring the site to ensure that the flames were completely extinguished and that no further electrical hazards remained. Because substations contain high-voltage equipment, safety precautions were taken to keep personnel and nearby residents out of danger.

No injuries have been reported, and authorities say there is no immediate risk to the public. However, police temporarily restricted access to the surrounding area while the fire was being contained. Motorists traveling on the Jane Addams Tollway were advised to exercise caution due to smoke and emergency vehicle presence.

The substation plays a vital role in the local electrical grid, supplying power to several communities in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The quick response from firefighters and utility engineers helped prevent potential disruptions to thousands of customers in the area.

As of late Wednesday morning, crews remained at the site to cool down hot spots and inspect damaged infrastructure. Once the area is deemed safe, ComEd engineers will begin a detailed assessment of the facility’s condition and the possible source of ignition.

Local officials have said they will provide more updates as soon as the investigation progresses. For now, ComEd and the Hoffman Estates Fire Department are urging residents to stay clear of the site and to report any power-related issues to the company’s emergency hotline.

This fire highlights the importance of safety measures at power facilities and the risks associated with high-voltage infrastructure. While the incident was quickly controlled, it serves as a reminder of how vital emergency coordination is in preventing widespread outages or more serious consequences.