Dozens Of Flight Delays And Cancellations From Metro Airport Due To Fire In Chicago

ROMULUS (WWJ) - If you're flying out of Detroit Metro Airport Airport Friday, getting to Chicago could be a problem.

Airport spokesman Mike Conway told WWJ Newsradio 950 there are dozens of flight delays and cancellations to Chicago; Milwaukee; South Bend, Indiana and other destinations because of the fire at a suburban Chicago air traffic control facility.

[Before you head out to the airport, you can check the status of your flight HERE]

Early Friday afternoon, some flights in and out of O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport had resumed "at a reduced rate," more than five hours after all flights were halted at both airports, due to a fire at a radar facility in Aurora, apparently started by a disgruntled FAA contractor.

Overall, more than 700 flights were canceled at O'Hare as a result of the fire, and more than 150 were canceled at Midway, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Law enforcement sources said investigators believe the man lit several fires inside the basement telecommunications room of the FAA Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center in Aurora, and then tried to commit suicide. Aurora Police Chief Greg Thomas told CBS Chicago the man suffered burns and knife wounds, and was being treated at a hospital.

Get complete coverage of this story at our sister site, CBSChicago.com.