4 Injured After Restaurant Fire on Easter in Libertyville, IL 03/31/24

On March 31, 2024 (Easter), at 1:00 PM, the Libertyville Fire Department, Libertyville Police Department, and automatic aid fire departments responded to multiple reports of a structure fire at Austin’s Saloon and Eatery, 481 Peterson Road in Libertyville, IL. There were also reports of a propane tank involved. Libertyville Police Officers reported that at least three people were injured.

Firefighters arrived and found smoke coming from the restaurant, Libertyville Deputy Fire Chief Steven Holtz said. Occupants were in the process of evacuating when emergency responders arrived. A fire broke out in the bar area of the restaurant. The building’s sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire, but heavy smoke remained throughout the building, Holtz said. Crews worked on ventilating the building and checked for injuries.

At 1:11 PM, fire command requested Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Box Alarm #46-11 to the box alarm level, bringing in additional fire apparatus from departments across Lake County, IL. Three people sustained minor smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene, Holtz said. A fourth patient sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL for treatment.

Customers and employees from both Austin’s and Impact Fuel Room, which share the same building, evacuated. In total, approximately 100 people were evacuated. Many people were shaken up and shocked by what had happened.

Holtz said that the restaurant sustained fire, smoke, and water damage. At 1:22 PM, fire command struck out MABAS Box Alarm #46-11. Employees re-entered the building at around 1:50 PM. Firefighters assisted people with retrieving personal belongings, like cell phones.

Kara Lambert told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that she and her family were seated on the patio for an Easter brunch when she saw a "wall of flames" across from them. "I screamed to my mom and my husband [to] get the kids and go. My mom is on a walker and my seven-year-old son walked her out," Lambert said. "Everyone evacuated together amazingly and cared about each other immensely," she added.

Kristen Derosier told Woo-Sung Shim that she and her family were on the top floor of the restaurant when they heard a "very loud whoosh" during their brunch. People began screaming and the fire alarms activated. Derosier and her family were able to evacuate. Derosier said "it was fairly calm" on the top floor when the fire broke out. She added that it was "very smokey" inside the restaurant and called the situation "unexpected" and "scary."

The Libertyville Fire Department was assisted by the Countryside, Mundelein, Lake Forest, Greater Round Lake, Lake Zurich, Buffalo Grove, Grayslake, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Zion, Newport Township, Lake Villa, Long Grove and Lake Bluff fire departments.

The fire remains under investigation by the Libertyville Fire Department. The cause of the fire or a damage estimate was not immediately available. The restaurant is "closed until further notice" due to the incident. Contractors were seen at the restaurant for repairs.

The restaurant released a statement and apologized to the families affected by the incident. The restaurant recognized their staff for remaining calm, being quick to react, and helping customers find exits. The restaurant also thanked first responders and the community for their support. The restaurant said that they were working quickly to re-open their doors. On April 3, 2024, “after much hard work and cleanup,” Austin’s re-opened.

SOURCE: Lake and McHenry County Scanner (https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/20...)

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:51 - Video of the Scene
9:36 - Interview with Witness
11:28 - Photos of the Scene
15:05 - Outro

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Video and Photos by Woo-Sung Shim

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