Gerald R. Ford International Airport, WZZM-13
Gerald R. Ford International Airport, WZZM-13
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WZZM-13 reports that multiple flights in and out of Gerald R. Ford International Airport have been canceled due to the fire at a Chicago airport related facility.

In addition, flights have been grounded at Chicago's busy O'Hare and Midway airports.

Hundreds of flights have already been grounded, and the disruptions will likely ripple out and affect flights across the country. For example, a flight from Detroit to Denver could become delayed or canceled if the aircraft or crew scheduled to operate gets knocked off schedule by the situation in Chicago.

 

What caused the fire?

The Chicago Tribune reports that a fire broke out at a Federal Aviation Administration radar facility in Aurora, Ill., at around 5:45 a.m. ET.

According to police, the fire was deliberately set but "is no terrorist act."

The Tribune quotes Aurora police Chief Greg Thomas, as saying that the incident appears to be "a local issue with a contract employee and nothing else."

"The employee was found in the basement of the radar facility suffering from self-inflicted wounds, police said. He was taken to a hospital and the radar center was shut down and evacuated."

 

If you have a flight scheduled for today, it is recommended that you call ahead or check online to make sure it is not canceled or delayed. You can track flights in and out of Grand Rapids here: http://www.grr.org/RTFI.php

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