Landmark building burns in Lyons, 11-22-13

May 31, 2025

From The Chicago Tribune:

Residents in west suburban Lyons woke up to shocking news as a historic building, once home to the Chamber of Commerce, was severely damaged by a massive fire early this morning. Local officials confirmed that the fire erupted around 2:30 a.m. in the two-story structure located at 3901 Joliet Avenue. Firefighters managed to control the situation by 6 a.m., but not before significant damage was done.

When our team arrived, flames were already leaping out of the first-floor windows," said Fire Chief Gordon Nord. "The intensity of the fire was overwhelming. We had no choice but to evacuate everyone and switch to a defensive strategy." Chief Nord added that the building's structural integrity has been compromised beyond repair, making demolition inevitable.

From CBS Chicago:

In an unfortunate turn of events, one of Lyons' most recognizable landmarks now lies in ruins after a fierce fire swept through the vacant Lyons Chamber of Commerce building late Thursday night. The incident occurred just after 2:30 a.m., leaving locals in shock as they watched the iconic ivory-colored structure burn. Despite being unoccupied for several years, the building remains a cherished symbol of the community. While electricity was still connected, the gas supply had been shut off for quite some time, according to Chief Nord.

It took our firefighters nearly four hours to fully extinguish the blaze," Chief Nord explained. "There was substantial fire damage inside the tin ceilings on the first floor, creating numerous challenges due to the hidden spaces. The upper part of one of the corner turrets even collapsed during the firefighting efforts."

As of Friday morning, investigators are still trying to determine what sparked the fire. However, the extent of the destruction suggests that the building cannot be salvaged. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries.

Photographs taken by Brad Bartley provide a stark look at the aftermath of the fire. These images capture the haunting remains of what was once a proud symbol of the town.

Thanks to Dan for sharing these updates. It's heartbreaking to see such a beloved landmark lost to flames, but the safety of residents is always the top priority.

Lyons landmark destroyed by fire. Brad Bartley photo

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