Fire At Haley Mansion Under Control: Joliet Fire Chief

JOLIET, IL — A fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at Joliet's historic Patrick C. Haley Mansion at Center and Marion streets.

Joliet Fire Chief Jeff Carey said crews responded to the blaze around 3:45 p.m., finding heavy smoke coming from the roof and heavy fire in the attic.

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He said firefighters entered the second floor of the mansion and opened the ceiling to attack the fire, bringing it under control in around 40 minutes.

As of around 4:30 p.m., Joliet fire crews could be seen working outside the home, spraying water as smoke rose from the third floor of the mansion.

Carey said firefighters were still at the scene just after 5 p.m., continuing to extinguish hot spots and perform salvage operations. He expected fire crews to remain on the scene until around 6:30 or 7 p.m.

Joliet police also closed southbound Center Street and were rerouting traffic onto Jefferson Street.

Carey told Patch there were employees in the office area of the mansion preparing for an event that was scheduled for Wednesday evening when the fire alarm went off. The workers evacuated, and no injuries were reported in the fire, Carey said.

Damage estimates were not immediately available early Wednesday evening.

Fire officials they expect to release more details late Wednesday.

Historic event venue

Now home to a popular wedding and event venue known simply as the Haley Mansion, the mansion was built by New York-born attorney Patrick Columbus Haley, who moved to Will County as a child and went on to become the mayor of Joliet.

According to the Haley Mansion website, construction on the home began in 1891 and was completed two years later.

Architect Frank Shaver Allen, known for designing a namesake home in Joliet as well as Joliet Central High School, helped create the mansion.

The 8,600-square-foot castle-like limestone home "consumed one quarry of its stone. In addition, to honor Irish heritage, Gaelic insignias are cut in stone on the front porch facing Center Street," its website notes.

Related Patch coverage: Can Haley Mansion Be Saved? Joliet Fire Battalion Chief Reveals Answer