McHenry legion hall damaged in fire

The Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 188 was heavily damaged by a fire Sunday afternoon in McHenry.

No one was injured in the blaze.

According to Battalian Chief Joe Krueger of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District, firefighters arrived on the scene at 11:42 a.m. Sunday while people were still fleeing the building at 1304 N. Park St.

Firefighters began attacking the flames while crews searched the building for anyone who might have not made it out, but the building was empty.

Fire crews also were forced to evacuate the building themselves for fear of the roof collapsing onto them.

Crews continued to fight the blaze using hoses from ladder trucks for nearly two hours after the last firefighter left the building before the fire was declared under control.

The blaze left extensive fire, smoke and water damage throughout the entire building.

Firefighters from 19 different suburban departments, as well as the Salvation Army Canteen and the City of McHenry Public Works Department, were credited in the press release as having assisted on the fire.