Late Friday morning, West Chicago firefighters responded to reports of smoke inside Republic Bank, located at 101 Main Street in the heart of downtown. The call came in around 11:00 a.m., prompting a swift response from local crews.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the smoke originated from a small fire on the roof of the building, where repair work had been underway. Thanks to the quick action of first responders, the flames were contained within minutes. Damage was limited to a portion of the roof and adjoining wall areas on the second floor.
Bank employees and customers inside the building were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. After the fire was fully extinguished, the building was deemed safe for re-entry and turned back over to bank representatives later that morning.
The West Chicago Fire Protection District was assisted on scene by neighboring fire departments, the West Chicago Police Department, and the city’s Building Department. Officials determined the fire to be accidental, caused by roofing activities in progress.
The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role of local emergency personnel. Their coordinated efforts not only protected the historic bank building, but also kept downtown West Chicago safe and running smoothly.
