Police, firefighters, and paramedics from McHenry responded about 10:28 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021 to a report of a fire at “Just for Fun” Roller Rink at 914 North Front Street in McHenry.
The first crew on arrival reported heavy fire showing from the front, left corner of the building on the second floor of an abandoned roller rink. McHenry Engine 41 was operating their deck gun on the fire. Fire command reported that the firefighting operations are defensive only.
Fire command described the fire as a wind-driven fire. The National Weather Service observations at the Greater Rockford Airport reported Northeast Winds 20 MPH gusting to 29 MPH.
The roof collapsed at the commercial building fire by 11:00 p.m. and multiple deck guns and multiple hand lines were operating. Large pieces of burning debris were reported landing in the block of 3000 Kane Avenue.
Multiple hand lines and a deck gun were operating to extinguish the fire by 10:48 p.m.
A MABAS Division 5 Box Alarm #5-1241 was activated at about 10:37 p.m. for a fire involved in a 2-story commercial building 100 feet by 170 feet.
A Second Alarm was activated at 10:44 p.m. and a Third Alarm was activated at 10:54 p.m.
The cause of the fire may have a suspicious origin.
Route 31 is shut down in both directions north of Kane Avenue and south of Elm Street in McHenry.
The owner announced in July 2020 that the roller skating rink at 914 N. Front Street would be closing in the fall. Another location in Mundelein is still operating.
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 …
Stay informed with news from The Cardinal’s Emergencies Behind the Scenes Facebook page — Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies. Includes links to favorite public safety and emergency rescuers and product manufacturers and safety companies that have facebook pages. Submit your pictures or just stay up-to-date on with fire, rescue, EMS and police photo galleries. Please add your public safety photo to the wall album — go direct to the Arlington Cardinal Emergencies Behind the Scenes photos. For a list of all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages, go to Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor