Chicago Firehouse Goes Up in Smoke

By Chinta Strausberg

This reporter saw fire coming out of the roof of the popular restaurant, located at 1401 So. Michigan, and it quickly grew emitting huge clouds of white smoke out of the 109-year-old Chicago landmark building.

Two fire trucks arrived and South Michigan Avenue was blocked off for several blocks, and buses were rerouted to Indiana and State Streets.

After the building wasevacuated, restaurant workers could be seen leaving the area. The restaurant is known to be a popular eatery of former Mayor Richard M. Daley and others including former President George W. Bush who held his 60^th birthday there.

Initially, the building, made of yellow brick and limestone, was built as a firehouse that served the Prairie Avenue community and surrounding areas, according to the restaurant’s website.The once very popular movie, Backdraft, was filmed there.

What was once the Chicago Firehouse Engine Company 104 was converted to the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant which opened in 2000.

The owners issued a statement saying they will rebuild this treasured Chicago landmark. Reportedly, no one was hurt.

Two-blocks south, a movie is being filmed.

Photos by Chinta Strausberg

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.

Fire could be seen billowing out of the roof of the landmark Chicago Firehouse Restaurant once the home of a fire engine station.Firemen could be seen climbing the ladder to check out the intensity of the fire that reportedly started on the roof.White smoke could be seen for blocks.fire billowingMore white smokeFlames are getting higherFiremen poured water on the fire.Ultimately, the fire was struck.