Fire officials say two were injured in a multi-alarm fire that significantly damaged Riverside Bake Shop and Reese’s Barkery in downtown McHenry Sunday, with the mayor calling it “truly a sad day.”
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded around 12:06 p.m. Sunday to 1309 Riverside Drive in McHenry for a report of a structure fire.
Billy Andersen said he was driving by when he noticed the fire and ran inside to help get everyone out. He opened the back door and the room was filled with smoke and flames were coming from the ceiling.
Andersen said he told two men to get outside. He helped a third, older man out of the building.
Firefighters arrived in three minutes and found heavy smoke showing from the roof of a single-story commercial building, according to McHenry Township Fire Protection District Acting Battalion Chief Josh Olmstead.
Firefighters initiated an aggressive fire attack while conducting a search to ensure all occupants had safely evacuated, Olmstead said.
All occupants were confirmed to be out of the building. The fire extended and impacted several adjoining businesses.
Olmstead said fire suppression efforts were hampered by extreme cold and the incident resulted in extensive damage to several businesses.
Two of those businesses included Riverside Bake Shop and Reese’s Barkery & Pawtique.
The incident was upgraded to a Working Fire response and then quickly upgraded through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) to the box alarm level.
The incident was again upgraded to the second alarm level and then the third alarm level, bringing fire departments from McHenry, Lake and Kenosha counties to the scene.
The incident was upgraded again to bring a team of 10 fire engines from other MABAS divisions, including departments in McHenry, Kane, Cook and Lake counties, to the scene.
Olmstead said a firefighter and a civilian were transported by ambulance to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry with minor injuries.
McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett said the community experienced a “heartbreaking fire” that caused significant damage to Riverside Bake Shop and Reese’s Barkery & Pawtique.
“Our thoughts are with the owners, employees, and everyone impacted by this loss. I have personally reached out to both businesses to offer the City’s assistance as they work to rebuild or relocate,” Jett said.
“These are valued local businesses, and we will do everything we can to support them during this difficult time,” he added.
The mayor called it “truly a sad day” for McHenry. “I want to sincerely thank the McHenry Police Department and McHenry Fire Department for their quick response, professionalism, and dedication to keeping our community safe.”
Riverside Bake Shop owners Bernie Rice and Carol Rice said in a statement that they are thankful for the community’s support during this “devastating time” and that they are determining the extent of the damage and how to proceed.
“We are thankful from the bottom of our hearts for all those who have reached out to support us. We are currently closed throughout this time and will provide updates when we learn more information,” the owners said.
“Thank you to the local community who has voiced your support. We are so grateful for the community we have built and can lean on throughout this difficult time,” they added.
Reeses Barkery and Pawtique said their “hearts are broken.”
“This place is more than a store to us. It is something we built with love, community, and a whole lot of heart,” the business said.
“We want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of the fire departments and first responders who showed up and worked tirelessly. Your quick response, care, and compassion mean more than we can put into words,” they added.
Former McHenry Third Ward Alderman Frank McClatchey said it was “a very sad day in McHenry” as two “great” businesses are gone.
Foxhole Pizza and Pub said the fire occurred in the building across the street from their restaurant. “We’re hoping everyone is safe and appreciate the work of local first responders,” they said.
The restaurant brought food out to the firefighters who were battling the fire.
Fire investigators from numerous fire departments were on the scene working to determine the cause and origin of the fire.
The McHenry County Department of Public Health was notified of the incident because the fire occurred at an establishment with food.
Fire crews remained on the scene working to extinguish hot spots and conducting overhaul operations as of 4 p.m., with investigators remaining on the scene into the evening.
Route 120 was completely shut down between Green Street and River Road by police officers but reopened by 5 p.m. with Riverside Drive between Pearl Street and Route 120 continuing to remain closed.
The Algonquin, Antioch, Bartlett, Carpentersville, Cary, Countryside, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Fox Lake, Grayslake, Hampshire, Hebron, Huntley, Lake Zurich, Lake Villa, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Mundelein, Nunda, Richmond, Round Lake, South Elgin, Spring Grove, Twin Lakes, Wauconda, West Dundee, Wonder Lake and Woodstock fire departments assisted at the scene or covered McHenry fire stations during the incident.
The Salvation Army Canteen and warming buses from McHenry School District 15 also assisted at the scene.
Reports from the scene indicated the fire possibly was started by roofers but fire officials have not released any information on the cause, saying that it remains under investigation.
A damage estimate was not immediately known.