Arson suspected in Bartlett store fire

Authorities suspect arson in a Tuesday morning fire that ravaged through a Tuesday Morning retail store in Bartlett.

No one was injured in the two-alarm blaze, which 85 firefighters from four departments fought and was reported just after 10 a.m., Bartlett Fire Protection District Chief Kevin Heine said.

When crews arrived at Tuesday Morning, located at 850 S. Route 59 in the Bartlett Commons strip mall, heavy smoke was coming out of the front doors, authorities said.

Though the sprinkler system had activated, Heine said firefighters had a difficult time extinguishing the fire at first. Crews opened up a hole in the roof, and managed to contain the fire to the unit, which was heavily damaged.

Heine said a "suspicious person" was lingering near the wrapping paper section in the central part of the store. He left just before the fire started.

"There was no electric in the area and no other source of ignition," Heine said.

The DuPage County Arson Task Force is investigating the blaze and checking security videos.

There is smoke and water damage to L.A. Tan and Bannerman's Sports Grill, the two units on either side of Tuesday Morning, Heine said.

"I was pleased," Heine said. "It went well, nobody got hurt and the building's still standing."

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