The fire started at about 11:45 a.m. in the Heller International Building, 500 W. Monroe St., just west of the Chicago River, said Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. It was put out shortly before 1 p.m. Soon after that, employees -- who flooded the streets to watch the gray smoke billowing above the building -- filed back inside.

The flames were contained to the roof and produced a lot of smoke but not much fire, officials said. There was no damage to the building's interior, officials said.

Langford said once firefighters had determined there was no fire in the building itself, they used the public-address system to advise people to stay put in a safe place. Still, some decided to evacuate, and firefighters were there to help them as needed, he said.

Sharon Gray, an administrative assistant for a 21st-floor insurance brokerage, said she heard fire officials' announcement and decided to evacuate.

"After we heard the announcement four or five times, we came out," Gray said. "We looked out and the smoke was billowing over where we could see. It looked pretty bad."

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