Small fire closes Vernon Hills restaurant

Careless use of smoking materials was the cause of a small fire Wednesday night at a Vernon Hills restaurant.

Firefighters called about 7:50 p.m. to the Best Hunan restaurant in the Hawthorn Hills Fashion Square, 700 N. Milwaukee Ave., arrived within two minutes and found a fire and smoke in a storage area in the kitchen.

The fire was controlled by a sprinkler head but restaurant workers and patrons had to leave the building. The fire was extinguished within a few minutes with a hose and contained to the small area. No injuries were reported. Damage was estimated at less than $1,000.

Patrons in adjoining stores also were taken out as a precaution. No damage was reported and they were allowed to reopen. Best Hunan was closed pending an inspection by the Lake County Health Department and village building inspectors.