Firefighters called to Gurnee Donuts for second time this week
Firefighters were called to Gurnee Donuts in downtown Gurnee for a second time this week on a report of a possible fire.
Deputy Fire Chief John Kavanagh said employees at a business near the store in the Grand Mill Plaza at Milwaukee and Grant avenues, called fire officials to report they smelled smoke in the ceiling about 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Firefighters discovered smoldering insulation left over from a Saturday fire that caused $100,000 in damage to the doughnut shop, Kavanagh said. Crews doused the insulation with water to ensure the fire was completely out, he said.
"This happens sometimes with large fires smoldering for a couple of days," Kavanagh said. "The difference is that, because this is a businesses center, it draws more attention."
Fire gutted the doughnut shop in the 4900 block of Grand Avenue about 5 p.m. Saturday. It also caused about $30,000 in smoke damage to a neighboring storefront.
Officials said they continue to investigate the cause of the fire, but nothing appears suspicious. No one was inside the doughnut shop during the fire.
Kevin Lee, whose family owns Gurnee Donuts, started a gofundme.com account to raise money to reopen the business. The website claims about $7,400 has been raised through donations by noon Thursday.
"My family has been serving the Lake County area with doughnuts for over 20 years," Lee wrote on the website. "We love our customers and community and have watched numerous individuals grow up, as many have also watched my brother and I grow up."