6 p.m. Sunday UPDATE

FAA: After Aurora Fire, Other Sites Covering Air Traffic Control; Flight Delays Continue

4 p.m. Friday UPDATE

Aurora Police Department officials said Friday afternoon that police are searching the Naperville apartment of the man they believe set the Aurora FAA facility on fire early Friday morning.

Aurora Police Chief Greg Thomas said the man, identified as a contract employee, injured himself with a knife and used “some type of accelerant” to set the fire, which led to flight cancellations all morning at O’Hare and Midway airports.

“This apparently is an isolated incident,” Thomas said. “We have no reason to believe anyone else was involved, at this time.”

The man, who has not yet been identified by police while the investigation continues, was treated at an Aurora hospital and is expected to survive, Thomas said.

Thomas said no criminal charges have been filed, as the investigation continues, and no firearms or explosives were found on the scene.

About 15 to 30 employees at the facility were evacuated.

12:47 p.m.  UPDATE

The Kane County Chronicle is reporting that the man who allegedly injured himself and is believed to have started the fire at the FAA facility in Aurora was a contract employee.

12:20 p.m. UPDATE

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office contributed police dogs and bomb squad support to the scene, Kane County Undersheriff Pat Gengler said.

11:35 a.m. UPDATE

The Aurora Police Department is at the hub of a breaking, international story about a fire and self-inflicted injury at the FAA Air Traffic Control Center, 619 W. Indian Trail.

According to a release from the APD, at 5:42 a.m. Aurora fire and police responded to the Air Traffic Control Center for a report of a fire in the basement of the facility.

Upon arrival, an adult male who is a contract employee, was located in the basement suffering from apparent self-inflicted (non gun shot) wounds. At this time, it appears that the injured man set the fire, the APD said. The man was transported to an Aurora hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

The fire has been extinguished.

“There was no explosion and like any similar scene, first responders are being cautious as they clear the building and continue to make it safe. This apparently is an isolated incident and there are no indications of terrorism at this time,” the release said.

About 15 to 30 employees at the center were evacuated. One other employee, and adult male, about 50 years old, was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

This is a joint investigation being conducted by the ATF, FBI, FAA, and Aurora Police and Fire. The Kane County Sheriffs Office is assisting.

10:50 a.m. UPDATE

Multiple media sources — from national and international news sites to local media — are reporting the story, as well.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting at 10:50 a.m. that a man was found in the basement of the Aurora facility with self inflicted gunshot wound.

Some sources say flights have been cancelled until around noon, although social media reports say the FAA has OK’sd resuming flights to and from O’Hare Airport “at reduced rate” as of 11:50 a.m.

Kane County Connects will report additional information as it becomes available.

Read More

• Fire grounds flights at Midway and O’Hare, man found with self-inflicted wounds
• Authorities: Fire at Aurora radar center was deliberately set
• Control Tower Fire Causes Chicago Airport Delays
• Fire at control site stops O’Hare, Midway flights
• Ground stop at O’Hare and Midway after fire at FAA facility