North Cook News

Rep. Brad Stephens (R-Rosemont) has offered his sympathies to those impacted by a recent fire that damaged an apartment complex and destroyed two businesses in Chicago's Albany Park.

 WGN reported that the fire broke out in the early morning hours of Feb. 21 at an apartment complex near Montrose Avenue and Richmond Street, completely burning the "Twisted Hippo Brewery" and "The Ultimate Ninja."

"Praying for the firefighters and business owners affected by the fire in Albany Park, as well as those who lost their homes," Stephens posted on Facebook.

 Roughly 150 firefighters fought the blaze for several hours and all of the apartment complex's inhabitants were able to safely evacuate the building.

A 60-year-old man was taken to Swedish Hospital for smoke inhalation, however, there were no other injuries reported during the incident.

ABC7 News reports that "neighbors heard and saw explosions" during the blaze.

The owner of Twisted Hippo, Marilee Rutherford, believes these explosions were "likely caused by their carbon dioxide and nitrogen tanks."

Rutherford also described her dismay at the sight of her store on fire.

“It’s a little unreal, it’s hard, it’s going to be hard,” Rutherford said. “But we’re lucky to have had it and we will see how we move forward.”

Gary Carlson, the owner of the apartment building where the fire occurred, had been under scrutiny for failing to maintain his properties properly several years before this incident, according to a Block Club Chicago report.

Two alderpeople in Chicago, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd) and Carlos Rosa (35th), have pushed for Carlson to be held responsible for various issues including electrical concerns, garbage complaints and smoking in the stairway where the fire originated.

The next morning, Feb 22, a second fire broke out in an abandoned building near Albany Park's 3300 block of West Cullom Avenue, WGN reports.

One firefighter received a leg injury and was sent to Swedish Hospital for treatment.