Fire clears Elgin restaurant

Dozens of diners were forced to evacuate an Elgin restaurant Thursday when a fire at the rear of the building filled the dining room with smoke.

Elgin fire crews were called to Trefons Family Restaurant, on the 1500 block of Larkin Avenue, about 6:20 p.m. The fire is believed to have started on the exterior of the building between the original structure and the addition, fire officials said.

Assistant Fire Chief Rudy Horist said the cause of the fire and an estimated amount of damage were not available. Horist said much of the damage was contained to the exterior of the building, but the interior did sustain smoke damage.

Patricia Enders, a server, said about 40 people were evacuated from the restaurant. Enders said another employee attempted to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher. Restaurant owner Alexandra Kales said the staff would work to open the restaurant for business on Friday.

No one was injured in the fire. South Elgin assisted in containing the fire.

• Daily Herald staff writer Patrick Kunzer contributed to this report.