More than a dozen flights between O'Hare and Bradley International Airports were grounded following a fire at a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control center in Chicago on Friday, which authorities say was deliberately set.
Flights were slowly beginning to take off again in Chicago as of 10:45 p.m., NBC Chicago reported. Airports are advising passengers to check with the airlines before flying to check on their flight status.
At least 18 flights between Chicago and Connecticut were canceled as a result, leaving hundreds of passengers at Bradley Airport scrambling to make alternate arrangements.
"Right next door, I was one of the first peple to be able to get into the Sheraton tonight and it's almost full," said Jessica Alm, of Chicago, whose flight home was canceled. "I've been gone for two weeks now, traveling. I'm ready to sleep in my own bed."
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the fire at O'Hare, which was reported around 6 a.m. local time, prompted evacuations and a ground stop at the airport.
Authorities said Friday night that a contractor intentionally set the fire and was angry over a job transfer to Hawaii. Brian Howard, 36, of Naperville, was found with self-inflicted stab wounds and has been charged with one felony count of destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities.
Messages were posted from his Facebook account about his intentions before the fire and the messages were reported to law enforcement authorities, NBC Chicago reported, according a criminal complaint.
Local
A few flights arriving from Chicago have begun landing at Bradley, but most flights bound for O'Hare remain canceled, according to flight schedules posted to Bradley Airport's Web site.
Commuters can track updates on the ground stop at O'Hare by following the airport's Twitter account.
Passengers are showing up to #Bradley and finding a log list of cancellations to #Ohare #chicagofire pic.twitter.com/NJgv2vcxoi — ilana gold (@ilanagoldNBC) September 26, 2014
