TINLEY PARK, IL — A fire in a building on the former Tinley Mental Health Center property overnight appears suspicious in nature, Tinley Park Fire Chief Steve Klotz said.
The fire was found just after midnight in what was formerly a power supply building on the property, 7400 W. 183rd St., Klotz said. The building’s condition rendered firefighters unable to enter, instead attacking the fire from the outside. A lack of working fire hydrants on the property required crews to use engines’ water supplies, Klotz said.
The fire appears to have been started in multiple places within the building, Klotz said, with combustible materials such as desks and paper found in piles in those areas. The defensive attack was necessary to ensure firefighters’ safety, Klotz said. Crews’ efforts lasted just more than an hour.
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“In buildings like this, because of the conditions of the building, it’s extremely important we operate safely,” Klotz said. “We have to protect the firefighters. …”
Firefighters were able to attack the fire through an unsecured door, Klotz said, and a portion of fence surrounding it appeared to have been breached. Now owned by the Tinley Park-Park District, the agency’s security reported the fire, Klotz said. Security reported seeing several individuals fleeing the scene. No arrests have been made, said Tinley Park Village Manager Pat Carr.
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Multiple fires have been reported at the property in just over a year. In April 2023, multiple fires were reported at Pine Hall, followed by another months later in October 2023.
Buildings on the property have been vacant since 2012. The park district in February 2024 took possession of the blighted 280-acre parcel, after purchasing it from the State for $1. They’ve since begun environmental clean-up work to make way for demolition and redevelopment plans. Nearly 50 buildings are currently on the property; officials have said they plan to demolish all of them.
Tinley Fire Department officials are investigating the June 21 blaze.
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