A Thorntons convenience store is temporarily closed after a fire broke out and left a firefighter injured in McHenry Tuesday afternoon, fire officials said.
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thorntons, 2108 West Route 120 in McHenry, for a report of a structure fire.
Fire crews arrived at the Thornton’s gas station and convenience store, which is located at the intersection of Chapel Hill Road and Route 120.
McHenry Township Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Paul Polep said crews found light smoke showing from the building.
They immediately initiated an investigation and fire attack operations.
Firefighters discovered heavy flames and smoke within the building’s facade, Polep said.
The fire was causing significant smoke conditions throughout the interior of the building.
Firefighters pulled hose lines to begin extinguishing the fire while also ventilating the roof to remove smoke from the building.
“Due to the coordinated efforts of responding personnel, crews were able to quickly locate, contain, and bring the fire under control within approximately 20 minutes,” Polep said.
Multiple neighboring fire departments were requested to assist at the scene due to the extreme heat conditions as well as provide coverage throughout McHenry’s fire district, Polep said.
A McHenry Township Fire Protection District firefighter was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of possible heat exhaustion.
No civilians were injured and the Thorntons will remain closed until further notice.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the McHenry Township Fire Protection District.