A floral shop was left unoccupiable after an extra-alarm fire, which brought over a dozen fire departments to the scene, damaged the business in Libertyville Tuesday evening.
The Libertyville Fire Department and Libertyville Police Department responded around 8 p.m. Tuesday to Joseph’s Florist, 1022 North Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville, for a report of a structure fire.
Multiple passersby called 911 to report smoke was coming from the building.
Libertyville Fire Chief Michael Pakosta said firefighters arrived to find smoke pushing out of a single-story mercantile.
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) was immediately activated to the box alarm level to provide extra fire department assistance and for other departments to cover Libertyville fire stations.
The incident was soon upgraded to the second alarm level due to potential and initial fire assessment, Pakosta said.
Officers shut down both directions of Milwaukee Avenue at Winchester Road while crews worked at the scene.
Fire crews aggressively performed fire suppression and overhaul operations.
The fire was declared extinguished after approximately an hour.
The interior of the building sustained smoke and fire damage throughout. There were no injuries reported.
The Countryside, North Chicago, Lincolnshire, Waukegan, Gurnee, Grayslake, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Long Grove, Lake Forest, Zion, Lake Bluff, Lake Villa, Highland Park, Great Lakes, Newport, Barrington and Round Lake fire departments assisted during the incident.
The Metro North Emergency Support Services provided rehab services to firefighters.
“Many of you may have heard there was a fire in our studio/shop/wharehouse last night. Thankfully no one was in the building or hurt,” the business said in a statement.
“We will know more today but we are not allowed into the building due to possible structural damage and the carbon dioxide lingering inside. Once an assessment has been done we will reach out with updates on our direction and plan,” the statement said.
“I can’t thank you all enough for the out pouring of love and support and so many willing to lend a hand. We will keep you all posted Thank you,” the statement added.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Libertyville Fire Department.