WINGS director talks about reopening after devastating fire
Palatine firefighters stepped over two blackened file boxes that sat in a parking lot on Saturday. Besides a gumball machine, the boxes full of papers with burned corners were the only things saved from the Palatine charity resale shop that was destroyed during Friday's storm.
Rebecca Darr, executive director of the organization Women In Need Growing Stronger, or WINGS, talked about opening a new location as she looked over the remains of her former store at 756 E. Northwest Hwy. It had been open for 10 years.
"I've talked to the mayor and he said the village owns a building that we could use," Darr said. "We'll talk more on Monday."
Insurance will pay for the structure, but not for the donated clothes, furniture and household items that filled the 10,000 square foot building, Darr said.
Sales from the Palatine store contributed $500,000 to WINGS annually, Darr said.
"It's a big loss," she added.
Authorities believe lightning struck a transformer on a utility pole on the corner of the building. The building is one of three WINGS resale shops, and was full of household goods, furniture, and women and children's clothing. The other two shops in Niles and Schaumburg are still open, Darr said.
Authorities continue to investigate the fire, said Capt. William Gabrenya of the Palatine Fire Department.
On Saturday, firefighters and public works employees demolished a wall that faced Northwest Highway because they feared it could crumble.
"With the trains going by and trucks on Route 14, we didn't want the vibrations to cause the wall to fall," said Gabrenya, adding that the entire structure will have to demolished anyway.
Denise Urban, WINGS senior director of administration, said the store was recently remodeled, and a new roof, floor and carpet were added.
"We're just thankful no one was hurt," Urban said. "No one from WINGS and no firefighters were hurt."
WINGS is accepting online donations at www.WINGSprogram.com. For more information on how to donate, call (847) 519-7820.