30 Firefighters Battle Blaze At Palatine Restaurant: Fire Department

PALATINE, IL — A fire at a Palatine business brought a heavy presence to put it out Monday afternoon at the Village Inn restaurant, 270 block of E. Northwest Highway. According to officials, 30 firefighters fought the blaze, with the Palatine Fire Department receiving assistance from Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows.

The fire, first reported at 2:51 p.m., was quickly extinguished. No firefighters were injured. Damage estimates are not available at this time, and the fire remains under investigation.

Firefighters responded to a report of smoke coming from the building, but found nothing showing from the exterior of the restaurant. Initial crews entered the building, searching for the fire and any occupants. Soon thereafter, the fire was discovered in an outside wall of the business and had extended into an area above the ceiling.

As firefighters fought the blaze, the building's fire sprinkler system did activate and assist in controlling the fire above the ceiling. The fire was contained to the northeast corner of the business, with minor to moderate smoke damage to the rest of the building. The fire was declared under control at 3:25 p.m.

The 30 firefighters staffed five engines, two ladder trucks, four ambulances, with one squad responding to the scene along with five command officers. During the incident, a unit from the Arlington Heights Fire Department stood by at Palatine Fire Station 82 to provide coverage for any additional calls. Officials said Palatine police officers assisted at the scene with traffic and crowd control.