Fire damages TGI Friday’s in Lombard

A Thursday night fire in the kitchen of TGI Friday’s at 601 E. Butterfield Road in Lombard caused an evacuation and $30,000 to $40,000 in damage but no injuries, authorities said Friday.

The Lombard Fire Department responded at 8:20 p.m. and discovered smoke coming from a wall behind a cooking appliance. Firefighters dismantled the wall, revealing a charred, smoldering wooden structure, and then put out the fire.

Battalion Chief Ron Rakosnik said the cause of the fire is related to a cooking appliance. The business owners said repairs will begin immediately in hopes of reopening the restaurant as soon as possible.

Lombard police and the Glenside, Lisle-Woodridge and Oakbrook Terrace fire protection districts assisted with the response.