Community Corner

UPDATED: Three Businesses Damaged in Clark St. Fire

Samah Hookah Lounge, Thai Classic Restaurant and Roadhouse 66 were damaged in the fire Friday evening.

Additional reporting by Jennifer Fisher.

Three Lake View businesses — Samah Hookah Lounge, Thai Classic Restaurant and Roadhouse 66 — as well as at least one residence were damaged in a three-alarm fire Friday evening on Clark St. The buildings were located between 3330 and 3332 Clark St. in Lake View. The fire started around 5:30 p.m., and the smoke was so heavy that residents could see it from as far as Clark St. and Wellington Ave. 

The fire appears to have started at the Roadhouse 66 bar, 3330 N. Clark St., according to NBC Chicago

Lisa Kimmey, the manager for the building next door at 3328 Clark St., said that all of the pets and residents in her building were safely evacuated, although there was smoke and water damage. 

"We did get extremely lucky," Kimmey said. "The fire department did an amazing job, based on how close the fire was."

Kimmey said that two dogs were also rescued from the building — one by firefighters and another by herself and a resident. 

"A resident went in[to the fire to get the dog] and I followed him," she explained. "I wanted to make sure that he was not alone." 

The building Kimmey manages has nine residents and a Jimmy John's sandwich shop. The residents are not currently living the building due to the smoke and water damage, and the Jimmy John's is closed for the time being. 

Chicago Fire Department (CFD) spokesman Larry Langford told the Chicago Tribune that there were no injuries reported as of 5:50 p.m. 

"
I hope all the people are okay, and I'm so grateful that the firefighters can protect us and keep us safe," said 12-year-old Lakeview resident Olivia Murphy, who was watching the fire with her mother. 
Kelly Clay, who watched the firefighters work for around an hour, called the events "horrifying." 

"
I was halfway down the block coming from shopping," Clay said. "I saw smoke. ... It looked like the Apocalypse - it was black everywhere. I couldn't see the lights or anything." 

"I thought it was a Michael Bay movie at first!" said Lakeview resident Brian Samuels, who was also watching the fire.

Patch arrived on the scene at 5:45 p.m., where we got a video of a dog from the residence being rescued. (Watch the video here.) 

This is a developing story. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.


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