Roselle shopping center fire deemed accidental; damage estimates top $2 million

A fire last week that damaged several businesses at a Roselle shopping center has been ruled accidental, officials say, but what caused the blaze remains undetermined.

The July 17 fire caused than more than $2 million damage to the Cross Creek Commons shopping center at the southeast corner of Plum Grove and Nerge roads.

When emergency crews arrived, they found fire and heavy smoke coming from the facade above the main entrance to Pop's Pizza and Sports Bar. The flames spread along the facade in either direction, including the area above the neighboring Ace Hardware.

Firefighters spent more than an hour battling the blaze before bringing it under control. No one was injured.

On Thursday, Roselle Deputy Fire Chief Mark Bozik said investigators believe the fire started near a sign outside one of the businesses but they're not sure what sparked the blaze

"For our purposes, it's not suspicious," Bozik said. "It was accidental."

Several of the businesses remain closed and it could take months for some to reopen.