New Details: Blaze Does $450k in Damage to Salerno's Restaurant in St. Charles

A fire that at Salerno's on the Fox Wednesday afternoon caused an estimated $450,000 in damages to the St. Charles restaurant.

No one was injured in the blaze. Fifteen employees and another 34 patrons were inside the building when it caught fire.

The cause remains under investigation but foul play is not suspected at this time, according to fire officials.

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Firefighters from St. Charles arrived at the restaurant at about 5:30 p.m. A second alarm was struck after determining the extent of the fire, which was near a gas line and outdoor seating area. Much of the visible damage was on the southeast side of the building, closest to the Fox River.

"Most of the damage is contained to the (one part) of the building," said St. Charles Fire Chief Patrick Mullen.

As emergency workers battled the blaze, onlookers gathered along North Second Street—a section of the road was closed while crews contained the fire—and also migrated along the nearby bike path that stretches across the river.

More than a dozen fire departments, including Batavia and Geneva, were called to help with the efforts and firefighters reportedly had it under control within 30 minutes after arriving. A total of 70 firefighters were on hand at the fire. 

Representatives from NICOR were called and were able to shut off the gas line. They also are assisting with the investigation into the cause.

According to information provided by a department spokesman, one of the restaurant's owners discovered the fire after seeing black smoke coming through a window. He then called 911 and evacuated the building.

The damage to the building itself is estimated at $250,000. Contents within the restaurant reportedly sustained an additional $200,000 in damage.