Fire closes popular Skokie bakery

A popular bakery and deli in Skokie will be closed for a few weeks after an early morning fire damaged parts of the building.

Skokie Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Walters says Kaufman’s Delicatessen & Bakery caught fire just before 2 a.m. Sunday. He says a heating element at the back of the bakery malfunctioned.

An employee was cooking inside and was able to escape. There were no injuries.

Fire officials say the fire was contained in about 20 minutes

Walters says there’s heavy smoke damage through the bakery.

Kaufman’s was built in 1955 and is still operated by relatives of the founder.