VIDEO: Midwest Motors fire on Cortland Drive with firefighter roof operations and Midwest Motors rescue of vehicles from showroom floor (vehicle rescue begins at 10:33 elapsed time).
Lake Zurich firefighters responded about 5:00 p.m. to a report of a fire at Midwest Motors, 540 Cortland Drive, just west of Rand Road and Route 22. On arrival firefighters reported heavy fire from the second floor. The fire was elevated to a Box Alarm, which brought firefighters from mutual aid communities.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire at the south side of the sprinklered building. Fire vented through the roof, but firefighters used power saws to chase any additional hidden fire near a dormer and in parts of the roof.
Meanwhile Midwest Motors President Benjamin Ripstein coordinated a rescue operation for the luxury vehicles parked in the showroom. As soon as it was safe for staff to enter the building, employees from all departments — from sales to service to office management — rushed to move the cars and SUVs to safety. The ceiling on the south side of the building was at risk of collapse from the weight of water. Some tiles had already fallen. At least three vehicles were covered with wet ceiling tile debris, but most cars appeared in mint condition — just a little wet. A black McLaren listed at $199,855 was parked one of the first vehicles rescued. President Benjamin Ripstein said the vehicle is $285,000 brand new, as he took time to collect his thoughts about the vehicle rescue operation. Ripstein said most or all of the vehicles were removed without damage, but that he didn’t have time yet for a full assessment. All staff worked calml, quickly, and successfully to safely rescue the vehicles.
No injuries were reported.
Firefighters from Arlington Heights, Barrington Countryside, Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Fox River Grove, Libertyville, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Palatine, Wauconda, and Wheeling assisted Lake Zurich firefighters — either at the scene or by providing fire station coverage.
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