Small fires but safe overall

Over the years, minor garbage chute fires would happen occasionally. Although fire fighters are summoned periodically, Marina City has always dodged serious issues.

On April 21, 2006, at about 5:30 a.m., a small fire brought emergency crews to the west tower. A candle started the fire on the 21st floor, which damaged an adjacent condo unit. Streets around the area were shut down for more than an hour to make room for emergency vehicles. Some CTA buses had to be rerouted. No injuries were reported.

In 2007, smoke and heat detectors were installed in each unit. The Marina Towers Condominium Association said it was “one of the most advanced life-safety systems of any older building in the city.” The heat detector sends an alarm directly to the fire department.