January 25, 2019 (VPPR) Palatine, IL. – Due to a morning fire that occurred in the kitchen of Durty Nellie’s in downtown Palatine, the location is closed on Friday, January 25, 2019. Two fundraising events – one for the mentoring program ICompete, and another to benefit Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Hoffman Estates, in addition to a performance by the band Party Punch, also have been canceled as a result of the fire.
Information on when the popular pub, restaurant and entertainment venue will reopen is pending an investigation into the fire’s cause by Palatine fire and police departments, in addition to a required inspection by Nicor Gas.
Six employees were in the building at the time the fire began around 10:00 a.m. A few heard a large ‘pop’ sound, and initially believed it was ice falling from the building. Minutes later, a wall in the kitchen became engulfed in flames. All of the employees in the building were able to leave safely and none of them were injured.
Multiple fire departments responded to the fire, and it was extinguished around 11:30 a.m.
Fire proof doors between the kitchen and the band room, as well as between the kitchen and the mezzanine protected those areas from damage. The pub and restaurant area sustained light water and smoke damage, while the kitchen experienced the most extensive damages.
Durty Nellie’s Co-Owner Jim Dolezal said there has been an outpouring of support from the community – from the moment the fire was reported in the media.
“So many people have reached out to us to see what they could do to help us, and wanted to make sure everyone was alright,” Dolezal said. “It’s a great feeling to see, hear and feel all of the support we have from the community; I want to thank everyone for their kind words and gestures.” Dolezal added that he is also very grateful to the first responders who worked so hard, and in such extreme temperatures, to put the fire out as quickly as they could.
More information, and when Durty Nellie’s will reopen, will be shared as soon as it is available.
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