Journal & Topics Media Group

Fire Consumes Van On Mannheim Road


A van that caught fire during the early evening hours of Dec. 31, 2018. Des Plaines Police photo.

A malfunction in the engine compartment of a van caused the vehicle to erupt in flames while on Des Plaines roadway at approximately 5:35 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31.

Fortunately, two individuals who were in the van made it out before it was fully engulfed. They sustained no injuries, according to Fire Chief Alan Wax. While driving, they noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment and pulled over.

Wax said the Des Plaines Fire Dept. arrived at around 5:41 p.m. to a parking lot on the 3000 block of Mannheim Road to find the van ablaze. One of the department’s firefighter/paramedics had to cut open the rear of the van in order to access the storage area. Crews left the scene at 6:17 p.m., said Wax.

Shortly before the incident, the department also put out a fire at Wonton Gourmet, a Chinese restaurant at 1405 Elmhurst Rd.

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