Overnight Fire Damages Buffalo Grove Strip Mall, Multiple Businesses Closed

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — An overnight fire at a Buffalo Grove restaurant damaged several businesses in a Dundee Road strip mall early Friday, authorities said.

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department was called at around 1:45 a.m. Sept. 4, after receiving a fire alarm at 131 W. Dundee Road. Within about a minute, a 911 caller reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the restaurant in the strip mall.

When firefighters arrived, they found flames and smoke coming from Samarkand Café, along with heavy smoke in neighboring businesses, according to the fire department.

The response was upgraded to a working fire as crews entered multiple units to attack the flames, search for anyone inside and ventilate smoke from the building.

Firefighters stretched multiple hose lines to different areas of the strip mall to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading farther through the building.

The fire was brought under control within an hour of the initial alarm.

No civilians or firefighters were injured.

The department said extreme humidity complicated firefighting efforts by requiring crews to spend additional time on rehabilitation and hydration.

Several businesses in the complex remain closed because of smoke and water damage from the fire.

The cause remains under investigation Friday. The Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office and Buffalo Grove Police Department are assisting the fire department with the investigation.