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Fire Destroys Hammond Warehouse

HAMMOND, Ind. (CBS) -- A fire that could be seen for miles destroyed a Hammond trucking company this morning and prompted the evacuation of some nearby businesses and residents, reports WBBM's Mike Krauser.

The Fire broke out at a trucking company called Bulk Express in view of the Indiana Toll Road at Cline Avenue.

The fire started according to Fire Chief Jeff Smith when two workers were using a torch on the back end of a semi-tanker holding liquid asphalt.

Fire Destroys Hammond Warehouse

"There was a propane tank on the ground when the guts were using the torch. The tank didn't blow up but something on the ground, according to the guys that were there, fire just erupted around them and they got out but no tank blew up," said Smith.

Terry was working security nearby when he says he heard popping sounds and then saw two buildings catch on fire.

"I didn't know exactly what was going off I heard a pop and I didn't pay any attention to it because you hear it around here and all of a sudden I open the door and there is all this smoke," said Terry.

The fire chief says BP was a big help as it brought in foam from its nearby refinery which was used to put the fire out.

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