Extra-alarm fire guts Sandwich-area lounge

SANDWICH, Ill. (MCT) — An extra-alarm fire in La Salle County near Sandwich, Illinois caused the roof of a bar and restaurant to cave in, a witness and officials said.

The fire at 4692 E. 29th Road near Sandwich began a little after 9 a.m. and was raised to a third alarm, fire officials said. The Sandwich Community Fire Protection District and other area fire departments fought the fire.

A worker at a nearby business said that the restaurant, The Warehouse, had its roof cave in because of the fire, and many pieces of fire equipment were on-scene.

The fire began near the bar's kitchen area, near the southeast corner of the building, when three employees were at the establishment, said Milly Santiago, a spokeswoman for the Fire Marshall. The bar has been under current ownership since about October, she said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, and although the fire started near the kitchen, it wasn't believed that cooking was going on at the time the fire started, Santiago said.