Fire damages Crystal Lake restaurant, closes streets

A Taco Bell restaurant in Crystal Lake will remain closed indefinitely after a Monday afternoon fire caused damage to the building and forced road closures, authorities said.

The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department said the blaze started about 5:25 p.m. at the fast-food restaurant, located at 420 W. Virginia St.

ComEd and Nicor were called to the scene to control the utilities. Crews got the fire under control at 7:51 p.m. once the power to the building was shut off, Battalion Chief Thomas Pollnow said.

The fire, which started in an interior wall, caused an estimated $35,000 in damage, authorities said. The building was evacuated before crews arrived and no injuries were reported.

Crystal Lake police closed Virginia Street for about two hours. A portion of Northwest Highway was closed to traffic for a couple hours, as well, first due to downed power lines and then due to the fire.

Eleven other fire departments assisted.