Journal & Topics Media Group

Six-Year Anniversary Of Downtown MP Fire; Case Still Open


A Journal subscriber sent in this photo of the early morning fire on Main Street in downtown Mount Prospect Feb. 9. The blaze broke out before 6 a.m. that Sunday.

Six years ago on Feb. 9, 2014, fire blazed through a mixed-use building in downtown Mount Prospect, destroying Japanese restaurant Sakura and several apartment units. The case remains open and undetermined today, according to Fire Chief Brian Lambel and Police Chief John Koziol.

Neither Lambel of Koziol were chiefs at the time of the fire; however, both said that no one has come forward with any leads since they’ve taken on the new roles. Cases where there isn’t enough evidence to pinpoint a cause can sometimes stay open forever.

Demolition crews and investigators survey the fire-ravaged site Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, moments before debris was taken away from the 90-year-old building. It is believed the Feb. 9 fire started in the basement of Sakura Japanese restaurant at 105 S. Main. Investigators were able to finally reach the basement Wednesday, Feb 19, but a fire cause is still unknown.

“Arson doesn’t have a statute of limitations,” Koziol said.

Luckily, there were no fatalities or injuries reported due to the fire six years ago; however, the building was damaged to the point of being inhabitable. According to a previous Journal article, the fire marshal’s report classified the fire as “a man-made act” in nature, “with the ignition of ordinary combustibles, with the heat source being that of an open flame.”

Mt. Prospect first responders at fire scene Sunday morning near Northwest Highway and Main Street. Sakura Japanese Restaurant was severely damaged.

The building, 105 S. Main St., was torn down and the site has remained empty since. Director of Community Development Bill Cooney said there aren’t any updates about the land where the building once stood. “We have seen a few draft proposals, but nothing official to date… This is a high priority parcel that we hope to move forward this year,” Cooney said.

 

Mt. Prospect first responders at fire scene Sunday morning near Northwest Highway and Main Street. Sakura Japanese Restaurant was severely damaged.

If anyone has any information about the fire that took place on Feb. 9, 2014 in downtown Mount Prospect, call Mount Prospect police at the department’s general front desk phone number.

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