(Above) Smoke rises from a grate at left that serves as a ramp into Marina City from State Street. David Beltran captured this image from AMA Plaza. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

1-Jun-15 – Smoke could be smelled throughout Marina City over the noon hour on Monday from a fire on its marina level and underneath State Street.

At about 12:30 p.m., a fire was discovered in a parking area below State Street and between Marina City and AMA Plaza. The flames were about six feet off the ground, according to workers in the area who called 911.

(Above) A fire blocks an entrance to a parking area below State Street on Monday. Photo by Bob Martin. (Below) A closer view with the fire out of a fire-damaged sofa and other items that have been moved from behind the gate at left, where the fire started. In the distance is an area used for parking that leads to AMA Plaza. Photo by Steven Dahlman.

The fire was quickly extinguished. At about 12:45 p.m., a firefighter made an announcement on a public address system to residents of Marina City, providing an update and assurance the fire was out.

It was progress from February 19, when during a small fire in a trash chute, Marina City residents say they heard no instructions over their new voice communication system.

On learning of this from Loop North News, the Chicago Fire Department took a closer look at what happened and determined that the firefighter who was making announcements did not push the correct buttons and not everyone heard the first announcements.

Crews from several firehouses were sent to Marina City to make sure they understood how to operate the system.

Workers at Marina City suspect homeless were living in the area, a dark part of a large parking area with a muddy gravel surface, and started the fire.