Fire Destroys Central Camera Interior on Wabash Ave Near Jackson Blvd; Owner Says He Will Rebuild

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Central Camera on Wabash Avenue in Chicago on Saturday May 30, 2020
Central Camera on Wabash Avenue in Chicago on Saturday May 30, 2020.

Chicago’s historic camera store ‘Central Camera’ lost its inventory when rioters set a fire inside the store during unrest in the Loop Saturday night. Owner Don Flesch talked with CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar.

Police and firefighter/paramedics from Chicago responded about 11:20 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2020 to a fire at Central Camera, 230 South Wabash Avenue in Chicago. The fire response was elevated to a Still and Box at about 11:19 p.m. and a 2-11 Alarm at 11:22 p.m. The fire was extinguished with a lot smoke damage to the interior and inventory.

The owner of Central Camera, Don Flesch, told CBS Chicago’s Charlie DeMar that he will rebuild the store and make it better. Flesch was able save the first camera that the business sold by Don Flesch’s grandfather. The business opened in 1899.

Flesch was on the scene before the smoke from the fire started to show because he responded to security alarms that activated at the store when looters and rioters initially entered the store.

The retail space for the former Kramer’s Health Foods, 230 South Wabash Avenue was also damaged in the fire.

The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.

DEVELOPING IF CONTENT IS AVAILABLE …

Central Camera on Wabash Avenue in Chicago on Saturday May 30, 2020
Central Camera on Wabash Avenue in Chicago on Saturday May 30, 2020 (PHOTO CREDIT: CFD Media).




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